Windows Firewall exception rule deleted (Windows Firewall/Defender) EventID 2006/2052

Flags deletion of Windows Defender Firewall exception rules using EventID 2006 or 2052 with modifying application context.

FreeReviewedSigma · Medium · v2
Product
windows
Service
firewall-as
Author
frack113 (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2022-02-19
Updated
2026-07-31
title: Windows Firewall exception rule deleted (Windows Firewall/Defender) EventID 2006/2052
id: 9283468e-e1ce-4a69-bf62-86786111bda8
status: test
description: This rule identifies when one or all firewall rules are deleted from the Windows Defender Firewall exception list, based on EventID 2006 and 2052. Attackers may remove firewall exceptions to disrupt security monitoring or impede access to needed network paths. It relies on Windows firewall service telemetry that records rule deletion events and the originating ModifyingApplication path.
references:
  - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/windows/it-pro/windows-server-2008-r2-and-2008/dd364427(v=ws.10)
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/builtin/firewall_as/win_firewall_as_delete_rule.yml
author: frack113, Huntrule Team
date: 2022-02-19
modified: 2024-08-29
tags:
  - attack.defense-impairment
  - attack.t1686.003
logsource:
  product: windows
  service: firewall-as
detection:
  selection:
    EventID:
      - 2006
      - 2052
  filter_main_generic:
    ModifyingApplication|startswith:
      - C:\Program Files (x86)\
      - C:\Program Files\
      - C:\Windows\WinSxS\
  filter_main_svchost:
    ModifyingApplication: C:\Windows\System32\svchost.exe
  filter_optional_msmpeng:
    ModifyingApplication|startswith: C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Platform\
    ModifyingApplication|endswith: \MsMpEng.exe
  filter_main_null:
    ModifyingApplication: null
  filter_main_empty:
    ModifyingApplication: ""
  condition: selection and not 1 of filter_main_* and not 1 of filter_optional_*
level: medium
license: DRL-1.1
related:
  - id: c187c075-bb3e-4c62-b4fa-beae0ffc211f
    type: derived