Suspicious Windows Event Log Clearing 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 clearing of Windows event logs through the PowerShell Clear-EventLog cmdlet or the wevtutil clear-log command which attackers use to destroy forensic evidence. Head Mare and Twelve piped Get-EventLog into Clear-EventLog to wipe activity during their intrusion. Log clearing is a defense evasion action that should almost never occur outside of controlled maintenance.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1685.005 — drag to rearrange

Malicious Windows Event Log Clearing via wevtutil

Suspicious Event Log Clearing via Renamed Log Utility

Suspicious Event Log Clearing via PowerShell Invoke-Expression

Malicious Windows Event Log Clearing via wevtutil (via process_creation)

Malicious Windows Event Log and Backup Clearing by BabLock Ransomware

Malicious Windows Event Log Clearing via Wevtutil

Malicious Security Event Log Disabled via wevtutil

Suspicious Event Log Clearing via Wevtutil (via process_creation)

Suspicious Mass Windows Event Log Clearing via PowerShell (via ps_script)

Suspicious Windows Event Log Clearing via process_creation

Pivot detection · T1685.005 · 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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