huntrule

Windows File Deletion Using Sysinternals SDelete (SDelete rename suffixes)

Flags Windows file deletions targeting filenames ending in .AAA or .ZZZ consistent with SDelete-style artifact removal.

FreeReviewedSigma · Medium · v2
Product
windows
Category
file_delete
Author
Roberto Rodriguez (Cyb3rWard0g), OTR (Open Threat Research) (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2020-05-02
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 Windows file deletions where the target filename ends with the common suffixes used by Sysinternals SDelete during overwrite/rename patterns (.AAA or .ZZZ). Attackers may use SDelete-like behavior to hinder recovery and reduce forensic artifacts, so filename-based telemetry can provide early stealth indicators. It relies on Windows file deletion events that include a TargetFilename field and matches only when the filename ends with the specified suffixes, excluding a specific Wireshark dictionary path.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1070.004 — drag to rearrange
Suspicious Crontab Removal via Command Line (via process_creation)
Suspicious Self-Deletion via Ping Loopback and Del (via process_creation)
Malicious Self-Deletion Via Fsutil SetZeroData
Self-Deletion via Ping Loopback Delay and Del Command
Suspicious Deletion of Explorer RunMRU Values
Suspicious PowerShell Self-Delete Of Executable via Process Creation
Suspicious Prefetch Deletion for Anti-Forensics
Malicious Ransomware Self-Deletion via Ping Loopback and Del
Suspicious Self-Deletion Batch Artifact by JadeProx TriBack Loader (via file_event)
Windows File Deletion Using Sysinternals SDelete (SDelete rename suffixes)
Pivot detection · T1070.004 · 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.