Windows WMIC Uninstall/Terminate Actions Targeting Security Products

title: Windows WMIC Uninstall/Terminate Actions Targeting Security Products
id: 61861f88-e535-49d2-b3c0-3a4cbbb0b013
related:
  - id: b53317a0-8acf-4fd1-8de8-a5401e776b96
    type: derived
  - id: 847d5ff3-8a31-4737-a970-aeae8fe21765
    type: derived
status: test
description: This rule identifies Windows command-line activity that uses WMIC to uninstall or terminate software associated with security products. Such behavior is commonly used by attackers to disable defenses and reduce detection or prevention capabilities. The detection relies on process creation command-line telemetry containing WMIC uninstall/terminate patterns and product-identifying strings (e.g., common AV/EDR vendor names or “Endpoint Security” related terms).
references:
  - https://twitter.com/cglyer/status/1355171195654709249
  - https://thedfirreport.com/2021/10/18/icedid-to-xinglocker-ransomware-in-24-hours/
  - https://www.mandiant.com/resources/unc2165-shifts-to-evade-sanctions
  - https://research.nccgroup.com/2022/08/19/back-in-black-unlocking-a-lockbit-3-0-ransomware-attack/
  - https://www.trendmicro.com/en_us/research/23/a/vice-society-ransomware-group-targets-manufacturing-companies.html
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_wmic_uninstall_security_products.yml
author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems), Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems), Huntrule Team
date: 2021-01-30
modified: 2025-12-15
tags:
  - attack.defense-impairment
  - attack.t1685
logsource:
  category: process_creation
  product: windows
detection:
  selection_cli_1:
    CommandLine|contains|all:
      - wmic
      - "product "
      - uninstall
    CommandLine|contains|windash: /nointeractive
  selection_cli_2:
    CommandLine|contains|all:
      - wmic
      - "caption like "
    CommandLine|contains:
      - call delete
      - call terminate
  selection_cli_3:
    CommandLine|contains|all:
      - "process "
      - "where "
      - delete
  selection_product:
    CommandLine|contains:
      - "%carbon%"
      - "%cylance%"
      - "%endpoint%"
      - "%eset%"
      - "%malware%"
      - "%Sophos%"
      - "%symantec%"
      - Antivirus
      - "AVG "
      - Carbon Black
      - CarbonBlack
      - Cb Defense Sensor 64-bit
      - Crowdstrike Sensor
      - "Cylance "
      - Dell Threat Defense
      - DLP Endpoint
      - Endpoint Detection
      - Endpoint Protection
      - Endpoint Security
      - Endpoint Sensor
      - ESET File Security
      - LogRhythm System Monitor Service
      - Malwarebytes
      - McAfee Agent
      - Microsoft Security Client
      - Sophos Anti-Virus
      - Sophos AutoUpdate
      - Sophos Credential Store
      - Sophos Management Console
      - Sophos Management Database
      - Sophos Management Server
      - Sophos Remote Management System
      - Sophos Update Manager
      - Threat Protection
      - VirusScan
      - Webroot SecureAnywhere
      - Windows Defender
  condition: 1 of selection_cli_* and selection_product
falsepositives:
  - Legitimate administration
level: high
regression_tests_path: regression_data/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_wmic_uninstall_security_products/info.yml
license: DRL-1.1