huntrule

Windows Event Log EVTX File Deletion in winevt\Logs

Flags deletion of Windows Event Log .evtx files under System32\winevt\Logs.

FreeReviewedSigma · Medium · v2
Product
windows
Category
file_delete
Author
Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems) (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2023-02-15
Updated
2026-07-31
AnalysisDetection

ATT&CK techniques

Defense Evasion

  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 flags deletion of Windows Event Log files (.evtx) under the winevt\Logs directory. Attackers may remove these files to reduce or delay forensic investigation by destroying event logging data. The detection relies on file deletion telemetry that records the deleted file path and extension.

Reporting behind it

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Windows Process Creation: Command-Line Deletion of IIS Logs
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Linux Package Removal via yum, apt, dpkg, or rpm Commands
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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.