Third-party Backup Files Deleted via Unexpected Process

Identifies the deletion of backup files, saved using third-party software, by a process outside of the backup suite. Adversaries may delete Backup files to ensure that recovery from a ransomware attack is less likely.

Rule type: eql

Rule indices:

winlogbeat-*
logs-endpoint.events.*
logs-windows.*

Severity: medium

Risk score: 47

Runs every: 5m

Searches indices from: now-9m (Date Math format, see also Additional look-back time)

Maximum alerts per execution: 100

References:

https://www.advintel.io/post/backup-removal-solutions-from-conti-ransomware-with-love

Tags:

Elastic
Host
Windows
Threat Detection
Impact

Version: 2

Rule authors:

Elastic

Rule license: Elastic License v2

Rule query

edit

file where event.type == "deletion" and
  (
  /* Veeam Related Backup Files */
  (file.extension : ("VBK", "VIB", "VBM") and
  not process.executable : ("?:\\Windows\\Veeam\\Backup\\*",
                            "?:\\Program Files\\Veeam\\Backup and Replication\\*",
                            "?:\\Program Files (x86)\\Veeam\\Backup and Replication\\*")) or

  /* Veritas Backup Exec Related Backup File */
  (file.extension : "BKF" and
  not process.executable : ("?:\\Program Files\\Veritas\\Backup Exec\\*",
                            "?:\\Program Files (x86)\\Veritas\\Backup Exec\\*"))
  )

Framework: MITRE ATT&CK^TM

Tactic:
- Name: Impact
- ID: TA0040
- Reference URL: https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0040/
Technique:
- Name: Inhibit System Recovery
- ID: T1490
- Reference URL: https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1490/

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