IMPORTANT: No additional bug fixes or documentation updates
will be released for this version. For the latest information, see the
current release documentation.
Clearing Windows Event Logs
editClearing Windows Event Logs
editIdentifies attempts to clear or disable Windows event log stores using Windows wevetutil command. This is often done by attackers in an attempt to evade detection or destroy forensic evidence on a system.
Rule type: eql
Rule indices:
- winlogbeat-*
- logs-endpoint.events.*
- logs-windows.*
Severity: low
Risk score: 21
Runs every: 5m
Searches indices from: now-9m (Date Math format, see also Additional look-back time)
Maximum alerts per execution: 100
References: None
Tags:
- Elastic
- Host
- Windows
- Threat Detection
- Defense Evasion
Version: 11
Rule authors:
- Elastic
Rule license: Elastic License v2
Rule query
editprocess where event.type in ("process_started", "start") and
(process.name : "wevtutil.exe" or process.pe.original_file_name == "wevtutil.exe") and
process.args : ("/e:false", "cl", "clear-log") or
process.name : ("powershell.exe", "pwsh.exe", "powershell_ise.exe") and process.args : "Clear-EventLog"
Framework: MITRE ATT&CKTM
-
Tactic:
- Name: Defense Evasion
- ID: TA0005
- Reference URL: https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0005/
-
Technique:
- Name: Indicator Removal on Host
- ID: T1070
- Reference URL: https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1070/
-
Sub-technique:
- Name: Clear Windows Event Logs
- ID: T1070.001
- Reference URL: https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1070/001/