Windows: Application Uninstall via WMIC.exe (WMIC call uninstall)

ATT&CK techniques

Execution

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
- T1047Windows Management Instrumentation
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule identifies Windows processes where WMIC.exe is used to uninstall or remove an application by executing a command containing both "call" and "uninstall." Attackers may use this technique to eliminate installed software, including security tools, or to stage changes that hinder investigation. It relies on Windows process creation telemetry, matching the image/filename for WMIC.exe and correlating required command-line substrings.

Reporting behind it

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Windows: Application Uninstall via WMIC.exe (WMIC call uninstall)

Pivot detection · T1047 · 9 related

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

windows-application-uninstall-via-wmic-exe-wmic-call-uninstall-b53317a0

title: "Windows: Application Uninstall via WMIC.exe (WMIC call uninstall)"
id: 56e6b665-8175-444b-a748-b265a9a3e9c6
related:
  - id: 847d5ff3-8a31-4737-a970-aeae8fe21765
    type: derived
  - id: b53317a0-8acf-4fd1-8de8-a5401e776b96
    type: derived
status: test
description: This rule identifies Windows processes where WMIC.exe is used to uninstall or remove an application by executing a command containing both "call" and "uninstall." Attackers may use this technique to eliminate installed software, including security tools, or to stage changes that hinder investigation. It relies on Windows process creation telemetry, matching the image/filename for WMIC.exe and correlating required command-line substrings.
references:
  - https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/f339e7da7d05f6057fdfcdd3742bfcf365fee2a9/atomics/T1047/T1047.md#atomic-test-10---application-uninstall-using-wmic
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_wmic_uninstall_application.yml
author: frack113, Huntrule Team
date: 2022-01-28
modified: 2024-07-02
tags:
  - attack.execution
  - attack.t1047
logsource:
  category: process_creation
  product: windows
detection:
  selection_img:
    - Image|endswith: \WMIC.exe
    - OriginalFileName: wmic.exe
  selection_cli:
    CommandLine|contains|all:
      - call
      - uninstall
  condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
  - Unknown
level: medium
simulation:
  - type: atomic-red-team
    name: Application uninstall using WMIC
    technique: T1047
    atomic_guid: c510d25b-1667-467d-8331-a56d3e9bc4ff
regression_tests_path: regression_data/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_wmic_uninstall_application/info.yml
license: DRL-1.1

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