Windows netsh Enables Defender Firewall Group Rules via advfirewall set rule group new enable=Yes

title: Windows netsh Enables Defender Firewall Group Rules via advfirewall set rule group new enable=Yes
id: 8d7cc5ce-2677-4bb1-b2f9-e19e62582dbf
status: test
description: This rule matches process creation of netsh.exe commands that modify Microsoft Defender Firewall by setting a firewall rule for a specified group and enabling it (enable=Yes). Attackers can use firewall rule changes to weaken network access restrictions and bypass controls that limit inbound/outbound traffic. Telemetry relies on Windows process creation logs, specifically the executable name and command-line content containing the advfirewall/firewall/rule/group parameters.
references:
  - https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/f339e7da7d05f6057fdfcdd3742bfcf365fee2a9/atomics/T1562.004/T1562.004.md#atomic-test-3---allow-smb-and-rdp-on-microsoft-defender-firewall
  - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-server/networking/netsh-advfirewall-firewall-control-firewall-behavior
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_netsh_fw_enable_group_rule.yml
author: frack113, Huntrule Team
date: 2022-01-09
modified: 2023-02-14
tags:
  - attack.defense-impairment
  - attack.t1686.003
logsource:
  category: process_creation
  product: windows
detection:
  selection_img:
    - Image|endswith: \netsh.exe
    - OriginalFileName: netsh.exe
  selection_cli:
    CommandLine|contains|all:
      - advfirewall
      - firewall
      - set
      - rule
      - group=
      - new
      - enable=Yes
  condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
  - Legitimate administration activity
level: medium
license: DRL-1.1
related:
  - id: 347906f3-e207-4d18-ae5b-a9403d6bcdef
    type: derived