huntrule

Windows rmdir Directory Removal via cmd.exe Execution

Monitors cmd.exe process creation where rmdir is used with /s and/or /q to delete directories and reduce forensic artifacts.

FreeReviewedSigma · Low · v2
Product
windows
Category
process_creation
Author
frack113 (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2022-01-15
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 identifies process creation where Windows cmd.exe runs a command line containing rmdir and optional flags for recursive deletion (/s) and quiet mode (/q). Directory removal is a common post-action step that can reduce leftover artifacts from intrusion activity or other automated cleanup. It relies on Windows process creation telemetry, including process image/filename and the command line arguments.

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 rmdir Directory Removal via cmd.exe Execution
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.