File or Directory Deletion Command

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This rule identifies the execution of commands that can be used to delete files and directories. Adversaries may delete files and directories on a host system, such as logs, browser history, or malware.

Rule type: eql

Rule indices:

  • logs-endpoint.events.*

Severity: low

Risk score: 21

Runs every: 60m

Searches indices from: now-119m (Date Math format, see also Additional look-back time)

Maximum alerts per execution: 100

References: None

Tags:

  • Domain: Endpoint
  • OS: Windows
  • Use Case: Threat Detection
  • Tactic: Defense Evasion
  • Rule Type: BBR
  • Data Source: Elastic Defend

Version: 2

Rule authors:

  • Elastic

Rule license: Elastic License v2

Rule query

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process where host.os.type == "windows" and event.type == "start" and
(
  (process.name: "rundll32.exe" and process.args: "*InetCpl.cpl,Clear*") or
  (process.name: "reg.exe" and process.args:"delete") or
  (
    process.name: "cmd.exe" and process.args: ("*rmdir*", "*rm *", "rm") and
    not process.args : (
          "*\\AppData\\Local\\Microsoft\\OneDrive\\*",
          "*\\AppData\\Local\\Temp\\DockerDesktop\\*",
          "*\\AppData\\Local\\Temp\\Report.*",
          "*\\AppData\\Local\\Temp\\*.PackageExtraction"
    )
  ) or
  (process.name: "powershell.exe" and process.args: ("*rmdir", "rm", "rd", "*Remove-Item*", "del", "*]::Delete(*"))
) and not user.id : "S-1-5-18"

Framework: MITRE ATT&CKTM