huntrule

Windows Process: SystemSettingsAdminFlows.exe Used to Disable Windows Defender

Alerts when SystemSettingsAdminFlows.exe is launched with command-line arguments consistent with disabling Windows Defender.

FreeUnreviewedSigmahighv1
title: "Windows Process: SystemSettingsAdminFlows.exe Used to Disable Windows Defender"
id: 5b7fa561-02ce-4f9d-86bc-e5c8045aa077
status: experimental
description: This rule identifies process executions of SystemSettingsAdminFlows.exe where the command line includes 'defender' along with options and values indicating Defender configuration is being disabled. Attackers may use this legitimate Windows binary to impair host defenses as part of an overall intrusion or ransomware workflow. The detection relies on process creation telemetry, specifically the image name, original file name, and command-line substrings related to real-time protection and reporting settings.
references:
  - https://thedfirreport.com/2026/02/23/apache-activemq-exploit-leads-to-lockbit-ransomware/
  - https://www.huntress.com/blog/lolbin-to-inc-ransomware
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_systemsettingsadminflows_defender_disable.yml
tags:
  - attack.defense-impairment
  - attack.t1685
author: Chirag Damani (KPMG India), Swachchhanda Shrawan Poudel (Nextron Systems), Huntrule Team
date: 2026-07-01
logsource:
  category: process_creation
  product: windows
detection:
  selection_ssaf_img:
    - Image|endswith: \SystemSettingsAdminFlows.exe
    - OriginalFileName: SystemSettingsAdminFlows.EXE
  selection_ssaf_cli:
    CommandLine|contains: defender
  selection_cli_enable_opt:
    CommandLine|contains:
      - "RTP "
      - "RealTimeProtection "
      - "DisableEnhancedNotifications "
  selection_cli_enable_value:
    CommandLine|contains: "1"
  selection_cli_disable_opt:
    CommandLine|contains:
      - "SubmitSamplesConsent "
      - "SpyNetReporting "
      - "DisableCDPUserAuthPolicy "
  selection_cli_disable_value:
    CommandLine|contains: "0"
  condition: all of selection_ssaf_* and (all of selection_cli_enable_* or all of selection_cli_disable_*)
falsepositives:
  - Legitimate turn off of Windows Defender by the technical users or administrators for troubleshooting or other purposes.
level: high
regression_tests_path: regression_data/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_lolbin_systemsettingsadminflows_defender_disable/info.yml
license: DRL-1.1
related:
  - id: da92713f-ca2d-4fab-8320-098013d3f43a
    type: derived

What it detects

This rule identifies process executions of SystemSettingsAdminFlows.exe where the command line includes 'defender' along with options and values indicating Defender configuration is being disabled. Attackers may use this legitimate Windows binary to impair host defenses as part of an overall intrusion or ransomware workflow. The detection relies on process creation telemetry, specifically the image name, original file name, and command-line substrings related to real-time protection and reporting settings.

Known false positives

  • Legitimate turn off of Windows Defender by the technical users or administrators for troubleshooting or other purposes.

Detection content is published as a reviewed draft. Tune thresholds and exclusions against your own telemetry before enabling this rule for alerting.