huntrule

Windows: cipher.exe Overwrites Deleted Data Using /w

Flags Windows cipher.exe runs with /w: to overwrite deleted data on disk.

FreeReviewedSigma · Medium · v2
Product
windows
Category
process_creation
Author
frack113 (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2021-12-26
Updated
2026-07-31
AnalysisDetection

ATT&CK techniques

Impact

  1. Recon

  2. Resource Dev

  3. Initial Access

  4. Execution

  5. Persistence

  6. Priv Esc

  7. Defense Evasion

  8. Cred Access

  9. Discovery

  10. Lateral Movement

  11. Collection

  12. C2

  13. Exfiltration

  14. Impact

What it detects

This rule identifies Windows process executions of cipher.exe where the command line includes the /w: option, indicating overwriting of deleted data on disk. Attackers may use this to hinder recovery and disrupt availability by destroying data locally or across reachable storage. It relies on process creation telemetry, matching the process image name and the presence of the /w: parameter in the command line.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1485 — drag to rearrange
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Suspicious Self-Deleting Batch Script Execution Consistent with Agonizing Serpens Wiper Cleanup
Malicious Mass Device Wipe via Intune Remote Actions (via m365)
Malicious S3 Bucket Deletion During Bling Libra Extortion
Malicious DYNOWIPER PowerShell Loader Execution (via ps_script)
Suspicious S3 Lifecycle Policy Set for Rapid Object Deletion
Malicious PathWiper Loader Script Execution from Windows Temp via WScript
Suspicious Free Space Wipe via cipher.exe
Suspicious sha256sum.exe Execution from Windows Temp Directory
Windows: cipher.exe Overwrites Deleted Data Using /w
Pivot detection · T1485 · 9 related

Changelog

v2
  1. v2
    Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
  2. v1
    No changelog recorded for this version.2026-07-30

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