Windows Defender Disabled via DisableAntiSpyware Registry Key

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 the Windows Defender DisableAntiSpyware registry value being set, an antivirus tampering step performed by the Phorpiex downloader before deploying LockBit. Disabling Defender via this policy key removes real-time protection prior to ransomware execution.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1685 — drag to rearrange

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Malicious PowMix AMSI Bypass via amsiInitFailed

Suspicious ThrottleStop Driver Abuse for Defense Evasion in Ransomware Attacks

Malicious Disabling of Microsoft Defender Real-Time Protection via SystemSettingsAdminFlows by DeadLock Ransomware

Suspicious Security Software Uninstallation via WMIC Product Call Uninstall (Chaos Ransomware)

Suspicious Security Product Uninstall via wmic product call uninstall

Windows Defender Disabled via DisableAntiSpyware Registry Key

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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