Windows CleanWipe-Like PUA Execution via System Tool Uninstall Switches

Flags Windows processes launching CleanWipe-like removal tools with uninstall parameters for security impairment investigation.

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windows-cleanwipe-like-pua-execution-via-system-tool-uninstall-switches-f44800ac

title: Windows CleanWipe-Like PUA Execution via System Tool Uninstall Switches
id: 56747a75-ad54-4cd5-8174-3ee1310d20ce
status: test
description: This rule identifies execution of CleanWipe-associated binaries on Windows by matching process image names and specific command-line parameters used for uninstall or removal actions. Attackers may use such utilities to impair security controls and hinder recovery by removing antivirus or security components. The detection relies on process creation telemetry, specifically the executable path/endings and the presence of uninstall-related command-line flags.
references:
  - https://github.com/3CORESec/MAL-CL/tree/master/Descriptors/Other/CleanWipe
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_pua_cleanwipe.yml
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems), Huntrule Team
date: 2021-12-18
modified: 2023-02-14
tags:
  - attack.defense-impairment
  - attack.t1685
logsource:
  category: process_creation
  product: windows
detection:
  selection1:
    Image|endswith: \SepRemovalToolNative_x64.exe
  selection2:
    Image|endswith: \CATClean.exe
    CommandLine|contains: --uninstall
  selection3:
    Image|endswith: \NetInstaller.exe
    CommandLine|contains: -r
  selection4:
    Image|endswith: \WFPUnins.exe
    CommandLine|contains|all:
      - /uninstall
      - /enterprise
  condition: 1 of selection*
falsepositives:
  - Legitimate administrative use (Should be investigated either way)
level: high
license: DRL-1.1
related:
  - id: f44800ac-38ec-471f-936e-3fa7d9c53100
    type: derived

What it detects

This rule identifies execution of CleanWipe-associated binaries on Windows by matching process image names and specific command-line parameters used for uninstall or removal actions. Attackers may use such utilities to impair security controls and hinder recovery by removing antivirus or security components. The detection relies on process creation telemetry, specifically the executable path/endings and the presence of uninstall-related command-line flags.

Known false positives

Legitimate administrative use (Should be investigated either way)

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