Windows Recall Enabled by Deleting DisableAIDataAnalysis Registry Value

Flags deletion of WindowsAI\DisableAIDataAnalysis policy value indicating Windows Recall may be enabled.

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windows-recall-enabled-by-deleting-disableaidataanalysis-registry-value-5dfc1465

title: Windows Recall Enabled by Deleting DisableAIDataAnalysis Registry Value
id: 4445a392-dc66-42a8-a0ee-a36604ca77a7
related:
  - id: 75180c5f-4ea1-461a-a4f6-6e4700c065d4
    type: similar
  - id: 817f252c-5143-4dae-b418-48c3e9f63728
    type: similar
  - id: 5dfc1465-8f65-4fde-8eb5-6194380c6a62
    type: derived
status: test
description: This rule identifies registry value deletion events where the WindowsAI\DisableAIDataAnalysis value is removed from policy keys under either HKCU or HKLM. Deleting this value indicates that the Windows Recall feature may be transitioning from disabled to enabled, which can support post-exploitation discovery and data collection. The detection relies on Windows registry delete telemetry capturing EventType=DeleteValue and TargetObject ending in the specified policy value name.
references:
  - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/client-management/manage-recall
  - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/client-management/mdm/policy-csp-windowsai#disableaidataanalysis
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/registry/registry_delete/registry_delete_enable_windows_recall.yml
author: Sajid Nawaz Khan, Huntrule Team
date: 2024-06-02
tags:
  - attack.collection
  - attack.t1113
logsource:
  category: registry_delete
  product: windows
detection:
  selection:
    EventType: DeleteValue
    TargetObject|endswith: \Microsoft\Windows\WindowsAI\DisableAIDataAnalysis
  condition: selection
falsepositives:
  - Legitimate use/activation of Windows Recall
level: medium
license: DRL-1.1

What it detects

This rule identifies registry value deletion events where the WindowsAI\DisableAIDataAnalysis value is removed from policy keys under either HKCU or HKLM. Deleting this value indicates that the Windows Recall feature may be transitioning from disabled to enabled, which can support post-exploitation discovery and data collection. The detection relies on Windows registry delete telemetry capturing EventType=DeleteValue and TargetObject ending in the specified policy value name.

Known false positives

Legitimate use/activation of Windows Recall

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