Suspicious Windows Defender Weakening via MpPreference (via process_creation)

ATT&CK techniques

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule detects PowerShell disabling Microsoft Defender sample submission with Set-MpPreference SubmitSamplesConsent or adding folder exclusions with Add-MpPreference ExclusionPath, defense-evasion steps used by the NSPX30 implant to avoid detection. Weakening Defender lets the AitM-enabled backdoor persist and run unscanned.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1685 — drag to rearrange

Malicious Vulnerable Driver Load by GentleKiller BYOVD EDR Killer

Malicious Whole-Drive Defender Exclusion via Add-MpPreference (via ps_script)

Suspicious Disabling of WinRM Service via sc config

Suspicious Service binPath Hijack Followed by System Reboot

Malicious Windows Defender Root Exclusion via Add-MpPreference (via process_creation)

Suspicious Modification of Windows Hosts File

Malicious AMSI and ETW Bypass via In-Memory Patching (via ps_script)

Suspicious PowerShell AMSI or ETW Tampering

Malicious ABYSSWORKER EDR-Killer Driver Load via smuol.sys

Suspicious Windows Defender Weakening via MpPreference (via process_creation)

Pivot detection · T1685 · 9 related

Detection content is published as a reviewed draft. Tune thresholds and exclusions against your own telemetry before enabling this rule for alerting.

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