Windows Uninstall CrowdStrike Falcon Sensor via WindowsSensor.exe /uninstall /quiet

Flags Windows processes uninstalling CrowdStrike Falcon Sensor using WindowsSensor.exe with /uninstall and /quiet.

FreeUnreviewedSigmahighv1

windows-uninstall-crowdstrike-falcon-sensor-via-windowssensor-exe-uninstall-quie-f0f7be61

title: Windows Uninstall CrowdStrike Falcon Sensor via WindowsSensor.exe /uninstall /quiet
id: 920862cb-2ed6-4259-95b4-88ac31d2ef97
status: test
description: This rule matches process creation events where the command line contains WindowsSensor.exe along with /uninstall and /quiet, indicating an attempt to remove the CrowdStrike Falcon Sensor without user interaction. Disabling or uninstalling security tooling can reduce detection and monitoring coverage, helping an attacker avoid visibility. It relies on Windows process creation telemetry with command-line fields to identify the specific uninstall pattern.
references:
  - https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/f339e7da7d05f6057fdfcdd3742bfcf365fee2a9/atomics/T1562.001/T1562.001.md
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_uninstall_crowdstrike_falcon.yml
author: frack113, Huntrule Team
date: 2021-07-12
modified: 2023-03-09
tags:
  - attack.defense-impairment
  - attack.t1685
logsource:
  category: process_creation
  product: windows
detection:
  selection:
    CommandLine|contains|all:
      - \WindowsSensor.exe
      - " /uninstall"
      - " /quiet"
  condition: selection
falsepositives:
  - Administrator might leverage the same command line for debugging or other purposes. However this action must be always investigated
level: high
license: DRL-1.1
related:
  - id: f0f7be61-9cf5-43be-9836-99d6ef448a18
    type: derived

What it detects

This rule matches process creation events where the command line contains WindowsSensor.exe along with /uninstall and /quiet, indicating an attempt to remove the CrowdStrike Falcon Sensor without user interaction. Disabling or uninstalling security tooling can reduce detection and monitoring coverage, helping an attacker avoid visibility. It relies on Windows process creation telemetry with command-line fields to identify the specific uninstall pattern.

Known false positives

Administrator might leverage the same command line for debugging or other purposes. However this action must be always investigated

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