Windows Exchange PowerShell Cmdlet History File Deleted

Flags deletion of Exchange PowerShell cmdlet history log files in the expected logging directory.

FreeReviewedSigma · High · v4

Product: windows
Category: file_delete
Author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems) (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published: 2022-10-26
Updated: 2026-10-14

ATT&CK techniques

Defense Evasion

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
- T1070Indicator Removal
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule identifies deletions of Exchange-related PowerShell cmdlet history files by matching specific directory and filename patterns under Windows log storage. Attackers may remove these artifacts to reduce visibility into PowerShell activity and hinder forensic investigation. The detection relies on file deletion telemetry with the deleted target filename containing the expected path elements.

Reporting behind it

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Windows Exchange PowerShell Cmdlet History File Deleted

Pivot detection · T1070 · 9 related

Changelog

v4
Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-10-14
v2
Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
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.

windows-exchange-powershell-cmdlet-history-log-files-deleted-a55349d8

title: Windows Exchange PowerShell Cmdlet History File Deleted
id: e9a31e9d-0788-48de-a229-3edbea310f62
status: test
description: This rule identifies deletions of Exchange-related PowerShell cmdlet history files by matching specific directory and filename patterns under Windows log storage. Attackers may remove these artifacts to reduce visibility into PowerShell activity and hinder forensic investigation. The detection relies on file deletion telemetry with the deleted target filename containing the expected path elements.
references:
  - https://web.archive.org/web/20221012062917/https://m365internals.com/2022/10/07/hunting-in-on-premises-exchange-server-logs/
  - https://www.it-server-room.com/en/exchange-server-log-file-locations-and-cleanup-guide/
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/file/file_delete/file_delete_win_delete_exchange_powershell_logs.yml
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems), Huntrule Team
date: 2022-10-26
modified: 2026-10-13
tags:
  - attack.stealth
  - attack.t1070
logsource:
  category: file_delete
  product: windows
detection:
  selection:
    TargetFilename|contains|all:
      - \Logging\CmdletInfra\LocalPowerShell\Cmdlet\
      - _Cmdlet_
  condition: selection
falsepositives:
  - Possible FP during log rotation
level: high
license: DRL-1.1
related:
  - id: a55349d8-9588-4c5a-8e3b-1925fe2a4ffe
    type: derived

Convert

This rule as a query you can run. Uses no unlock credit.

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