title: All Rules Have Been Deleted From The Windows Firewall Configuration
id: 79609c82-a488-426e-abcf-9f341a39365d
status: test
description: Detects when a all the rules have been deleted from the Windows Defender Firewall configuration
references:
    - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/windows/it-pro/windows-server-2008-r2-and-2008/dd364427(v=ws.10)
author: frack113, Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
date: 2023-01-17
modified: 2024-01-22
tags:
    - attack.defense-impairment
    - attack.t1686.003
logsource:
    product: windows
    service: firewall-as
detection:
    selection:
        EventID:
            - 2033 # All rules have been deleted from the Windows Defender Firewall configuration on this computer
            - 2059 # All rules have been deleted from the Windows Defender Firewall configuration on this computer. (Windows 11)
    filter_main_svchost:
        ModifyingApplication|endswith: ':\Windows\System32\svchost.exe'
    filter_optional_msmpeng:
        ModifyingApplication|contains|all:
            - ':\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Platform\'
            - '\MsMpEng.exe'
    condition: selection and not 1 of filter_main_* and not 1 of filter_optional_*
level: high

title: New Firewall Rule Added In Windows Firewall Exception List For Potential Suspicious Application
id: 9e2575e7-2cb9-4da1-adc8-ed94221dca5e
related:
    - id: cde0a575-7d3d-4a49-9817-b8004a7bf105
      type: derived
status: test
description: Detects the addition of a new rule to the Windows Firewall exception list for an application located in a potentially suspicious location.
references:
    - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/windows/it-pro/windows-server-2008-r2-and-2008/dd364427(v=ws.10)
    - https://app.any.run/tasks/7123e948-c91e-49e0-a813-00e8d72ab393/#
author: frack113
date: 2023-02-26
modified: 2024-05-10
tags:
    - attack.defense-impairment
    - attack.t1686.003
logsource:
    product: windows
    service: firewall-as
detection:
    selection:
        EventID:
            - 2004 # A rule has been added to the Windows Defender Firewall exception list. (Windows 10)
            - 2071 # A rule has been added to the Windows Defender Firewall exception list. (Windows 11)
            - 2097
        ApplicationPath|contains:
            - ':\PerfLogs\'
            - ':\Temp\'
            - ':\Tmp\'
            - ':\Users\Public\'
            - ':\Windows\Tasks\'
            - ':\Windows\Temp\'
            - '\AppData\Local\Temp\'
    filter_main_block:
        Action: 2 # Block
    condition: selection and not 1 of filter_main_*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: high

title: RDP Connection Allowed Via Netsh.EXE
id: 01aeb693-138d-49d2-9403-c4f52d7d3d62
status: test
description: Detects usage of the netsh command to open and allow connections to port 3389 (RDP). As seen used by Sarwent Malware
references:
    - https://labs.sentinelone.com/sarwent-malware-updates-command-detonation/
author: Sander Wiebing
date: 2020-05-23
modified: 2023-12-11
tags:
    - attack.defense-impairment
    - attack.t1686.003
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_img:
        - Image|endswith: '\netsh.exe'
        - OriginalFileName: 'netsh.exe'
    selection_cli:
        # Example:
        #   Old: netsh firewall add portopening TCP 3389 "Open Port 3389"
        #   New: netsh advfirewall firewall add rule name= "Open Port 3389" dir=in action=allow protocol=TCP localport=3389
        CommandLine|contains|all:
            - 'firewall '
            - 'add '
            - 'tcp '
            - '3389'
        CommandLine|contains:
            - 'portopening'
            - 'allow'
    condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
    - Legitimate administration activity
level: high

title: Suspicious Program Location Whitelisted In Firewall Via Netsh.EXE
id: a35f5a72-f347-4e36-8895-9869b0d5fc6d
status: test
description: Detects Netsh command execution that whitelists a program located in a suspicious location in the Windows Firewall
references:
    - https://www.virusradar.com/en/Win32_Kasidet.AD/description
    - https://www.hybrid-analysis.com/sample/07e789f4f2f3259e7559fdccb36e96814c2dbff872a21e1fa03de9ee377d581f?environmentId=100
author: Sander Wiebing, Jonhnathan Ribeiro, Daniil Yugoslavskiy, oscd.community
date: 2020-05-25
modified: 2023-12-11
tags:
    - attack.defense-impairment
    - attack.t1686.003
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_img:
        - Image|endswith: '\netsh.exe'
        - OriginalFileName: 'netsh.exe'
    selection_cli:
        - CommandLine|contains|all:
              - 'firewall'
              - 'add'
              - 'allowedprogram'
        - CommandLine|contains|all:
              - 'advfirewall'
              - 'firewall'
              - 'add'
              - 'rule'
              - 'action=allow'
              - 'program='
    selection_paths:
        CommandLine|contains:
            - ':\$Recycle.bin\'
            - ':\RECYCLER.BIN\'
            - ':\RECYCLERS.BIN\'
            - ':\SystemVolumeInformation\'
            - ':\Temp\'
            - ':\Users\Default\'
            - ':\Users\Desktop\'
            - ':\Users\Public\'
            - ':\Windows\addins\'
            - ':\Windows\cursors\'
            - ':\Windows\debug\'
            - ':\Windows\drivers\'
            - ':\Windows\fonts\'
            - ':\Windows\help\'
            - ':\Windows\system32\tasks\'
            - ':\Windows\Tasks\'
            - ':\Windows\Temp\'
            - '\Downloads\'
            - '\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\'
            - '\Temporary Internet Files\Content.Outlook\'
            - '%Public%\'
            - '%TEMP%'
            - '%TMP%'
    condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: high

title: A Rule Has Been Deleted From The Windows Firewall Exception List
id: c187c075-bb3e-4c62-b4fa-beae0ffc211f
status: test
description: Detects when a single rules or all of the rules have been deleted from the Windows Defender Firewall
references:
    - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/windows/it-pro/windows-server-2008-r2-and-2008/dd364427(v=ws.10)
author: frack113
date: 2022-02-19
modified: 2024-08-29
tags:
    - attack.defense-impairment
    - attack.t1686.003
logsource:
    product: windows
    service: firewall-as
detection:
    selection:
        EventID:
            - 2006 # A rule has been deleted in the Windows Defender Firewall exception list
            - 2052 # A rule has been deleted in the Windows Defender Firewall exception list. (Windows 11)
    filter_main_generic:
        ModifyingApplication|startswith:
            - 'C:\Program Files (x86)\'
            - 'C:\Program Files\'
            - 'C:\Windows\WinSxS\'
    filter_main_svchost:
        ModifyingApplication: 'C:\Windows\System32\svchost.exe'
    filter_optional_msmpeng:
        ModifyingApplication|startswith: 'C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Platform\'
        ModifyingApplication|endswith: '\MsMpEng.exe'
    filter_main_null:
        ModifyingApplication: null
    filter_main_empty:
        ModifyingApplication: ''
    condition: selection and not 1 of filter_main_* and not 1 of filter_optional_*
level: medium

title: Disable Microsoft Defender Firewall via Registry
id: 974515da-6cc5-4c95-ae65-f97f9150ec7f
status: test
description: Adversaries may disable or modify system firewalls in order to bypass controls limiting network usage
references:
    - https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/f339e7da7d05f6057fdfcdd3742bfcf365fee2a9/atomics/T1562.004/T1562.004.md#atomic-test-2---disable-microsoft-defender-firewall-via-registry
author: frack113
date: 2022-01-09
modified: 2024-03-25
tags:
    - attack.defense-impairment
    - attack.t1686.003
logsource:
    category: registry_set
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        # HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\FirewallPolicy\DomainProfile\EnableFirewall
        # HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\FirewallPolicy\PublicProfile\EnableFirewall
        # HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\FirewallPolicy\StandardProfile\EnableFirewall
        TargetObject|contains: '\Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\FirewallPolicy\'
        TargetObject|endswith: '\EnableFirewall'
        Details: 'DWORD (0x00000000)'
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: medium
regression_tests_path: regression_data/rules/windows/registry/registry_set/registry_set_disable_defender_firewall/info.yml
simulation:
    - type: atomic-red-team
      name: Disable Microsoft Defender Firewall via Registry
      technique: T1562.004
      atomic_guid: afedc8c4-038c-4d82-b3e5-623a95f8a612

title: Disable Windows Firewall by Registry
id: e78c408a-e2ea-43cd-b5ea-51975cf358c0
status: test
description: Detect set EnableFirewall to 0 to disable the Windows firewall
references:
    - https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/40b77d63808dd4f4eafb83949805636735a1fd15/atomics/T1562.004/T1562.004.md
author: frack113
date: 2022-08-19
modified: 2023-08-17
tags:
    - attack.defense-impairment
    - attack.t1686.003
logsource:
    category: registry_set
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        TargetObject|endswith:
            - \SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\WindowsFirewall\StandardProfile\EnableFirewall
            - \SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\WindowsFirewall\DomainProfile\EnableFirewall
        Details: DWORD (0x00000000)
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: medium

title: Firewall Disabled via Netsh.EXE
id: 57c4bf16-227f-4394-8ec7-1b745ee061c3
status: test
description: Detects netsh commands that turns off the Windows firewall
references:
    - https://www.winhelponline.com/blog/enable-and-disable-windows-firewall-quickly-using-command-line/
    - https://app.any.run/tasks/210244b9-0b6b-4a2c-83a3-04bd3175d017/
    - https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/f339e7da7d05f6057fdfcdd3742bfcf365fee2a9/atomics/T1562.004/T1562.004.md#atomic-test-1---disable-microsoft-defender-firewall
author: Fatih Sirin
date: 2019-11-01
modified: 2023-02-13
tags:
    - attack.defense-impairment
    - attack.t1686.003
    - attack.s0108
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_img:
        - Image|endswith: '\netsh.exe'
        - OriginalFileName: 'netsh.exe'
    selection_cli_1:
        # Example: netsh firewall set opmode disable
        CommandLine|contains|all:
            - 'firewall'
            - 'set'
            - 'opmode'
            - 'disable'
    selection_cli_2:
        # Example: netsh advfirewall set currentprofile state off
        CommandLine|contains|all:
            - 'advfirewall'
            - 'set'
            - 'state'
            - 'off'
    condition: selection_img and 1 of selection_cli_*
falsepositives:
    - Legitimate administration activity
level: medium

title: Firewall Rule Deleted Via Netsh.EXE
id: 1a5fefe6-734f-452e-a07d-fc1c35bce4b2
status: test
description: Detects the removal of a port or application rule in the Windows Firewall configuration using netsh
references:
    - https://app.any.run/tasks/8bbd5b4c-b82d-4e6d-a3ea-d454594a37cc/
author: frack113
date: 2022-08-14
modified: 2025-10-07
tags:
    - attack.defense-impairment
    - attack.t1686.003
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_img:
        - Image|endswith: '\netsh.exe'
        - OriginalFileName: 'netsh.exe'
    selection_cli:
        CommandLine|contains|all:
            - 'firewall'
            - 'delete '
    filter_optional_dropbox:
        ParentImage|endswith: '\Dropbox.exe'
        CommandLine|contains: 'name=Dropbox'
    filter_optional_avast:
        ParentImage|endswith: '\instup.exe'
        CommandLine|contains: 'advfirewall firewall delete rule name="Avast Antivirus Admin Client"'
    condition: all of selection_* and not 1 of filter_optional_*
falsepositives:
    - Legitimate administration activity
    - Software installations and removal
level: medium

title: Netsh Allow Group Policy on Microsoft Defender Firewall
id: 347906f3-e207-4d18-ae5b-a9403d6bcdef
status: test
description: Adversaries may modify system firewalls in order to bypass controls limiting network usage
references:
    - https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/f339e7da7d05f6057fdfcdd3742bfcf365fee2a9/atomics/T1562.004/T1562.004.md#atomic-test-3---allow-smb-and-rdp-on-microsoft-defender-firewall
    - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-server/networking/netsh-advfirewall-firewall-control-firewall-behavior
author: frack113
date: 2022-01-09
modified: 2023-02-14
tags:
    - attack.defense-impairment
    - attack.t1686.003
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_img:
        - Image|endswith: '\netsh.exe'
        - OriginalFileName: 'netsh.exe'
    selection_cli:
        CommandLine|contains|all:
            - 'advfirewall'
            - 'firewall'
            - 'set'
            - 'rule'
            - 'group='
            - 'new'
            - 'enable=Yes'
    condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
    - Legitimate administration activity
level: medium

title: New Firewall Rule Added In Windows Firewall Exception List Via WmiPrvSE.EXE
id: eca81e8d-09e1-4d04-8614-c91f44fd0519
status: test
description: |
    Detects the addition of a new "Allow" firewall rule by the WMI process (WmiPrvSE.EXE).
    This can occur if an attacker leverages PowerShell cmdlets such as "New-NetFirewallRule", or directly uses WMI CIM classes such as "MSFT_NetFirewallRule".
references:
    - https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/master/atomics/T1562.004/T1562.004.md#atomic-test-24---set-a-firewall-rule-using-new-netfirewallrule
    - https://malware.news/t/the-rhysida-ransomware-activity-analysis-and-ties-to-vice-society/72170
    - https://cybersecuritynews.com/rhysida-ransomware-attacking-windows/
author: frack113, Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
date: 2024-05-10
tags:
    - attack.defense-impairment
    - attack.t1686.003
logsource:
    product: windows
    service: firewall-as
detection:
    selection:
        EventID:
            - 2004 # A rule has been added to the Windows Defender Firewall exception list
            - 2071 # A rule has been added to the Windows Defender Firewall exception list. (Windows 11)
            - 2097
        Action: 3 # Allow
        ModifyingApplication|endswith: ':\Windows\System32\wbem\WmiPrvSE.exe'
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Administrator scripts or activity.
level: medium

title: New Firewall Rule Added Via Netsh.EXE
id: cd5cfd80-aa5f-44c0-9c20-108c4ae12e3c
status: test
description: Detects the addition of a new rule to the Windows firewall via netsh
references:
    - https://web.archive.org/web/20190508165435/https://www.operationblockbuster.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Operation-Blockbuster-RAT-and-Staging-Report.pdf
author: Markus Neis, Sander Wiebing
date: 2019-01-29
modified: 2023-02-10
tags:
    - attack.defense-impairment
    - attack.t1686.003
    - attack.s0246
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_img:
        - Image|endswith: '\netsh.exe'
        - OriginalFileName: 'netsh.exe'
    selection_cli:
        CommandLine|contains|all:
            - ' firewall '
            - ' add '
    filter_optional_dropbox:
        CommandLine|contains:
            - 'advfirewall firewall add rule name=Dropbox dir=in action=allow "program=?:\Program Files (x86)\Dropbox\Client\Dropbox.exe" enable=yes profile=Any'
            - 'advfirewall firewall add rule name=Dropbox dir=in action=allow "program=?:\Program Files\Dropbox\Client\Dropbox.exe" enable=yes profile=Any'
    condition: all of selection_* and not 1 of filter_optional_*
falsepositives:
    - Legitimate administration activity
    - Software installations
level: medium

title: Uncommon New Firewall Rule Added In Windows Firewall Exception List
id: cde0a575-7d3d-4a49-9817-b8004a7bf105
status: test
description: Detects when a rule has been added to the Windows Firewall exception list
references:
    - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/windows/it-pro/windows-server-2008-r2-and-2008/dd364427(v=ws.10)
author: frack113
date: 2022-02-19
modified: 2025-10-08
tags:
    - attack.defense-impairment
    - attack.t1686.003
logsource:
    product: windows
    service: firewall-as
detection:
    selection:
        EventID:
            - 2004 # A rule has been added to the Windows Defender Firewall exception list
            - 2071 # A rule has been added to the Windows Defender Firewall exception list. (Windows 11)
            - 2097
    filter_main_block:
        Action: 2 # Block
    filter_main_generic:
        ApplicationPath|startswith:
            - 'C:\Program Files (x86)\'
            - 'C:\Program Files\'
            - 'C:\Windows\System32\'
            - 'C:\Windows\SysWOW64\'
            - 'C:\Windows\WinSxS\'
    filter_main_covered_paths:
        # This filter is added to avoid duplicate alerting from 9e2575e7-2cb9-4da1-adc8-ed94221dca5e
        ApplicationPath|contains:
            - 'C:\PerfLogs\'
            - 'C:\Temp\'
            - 'C:\Tmp\'
            - 'C:\Users\Public\'
            - 'C:\Windows\Tasks\'
            - 'C:\Windows\Temp\'
            - '\AppData\Local\Temp\'
    filter_main_system_dllhost:
        ApplicationPath: 'System'
        ModifyingApplication: 'C:\Windows\System32\dllhost.exe'
    filter_main_tiworker:
        ModifyingApplication|startswith: 'C:\Windows\WinSxS\'
        ModifyingApplication|endswith: '\TiWorker.exe'
    filter_main_null:
        ApplicationPath: null
    filter_optional_no_path:
        # This filter filters a lot of FPs related to Windows Services
        ModifyingApplication:
            - 'C:\Windows\System32\svchost.exe'
            - 'C:\Windows\System32\dllhost.exe'
        ApplicationPath: ''
    filter_optional_msmpeng:
        - ModifyingApplication|startswith:
              - 'C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Platform\'
              - 'C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\'
          ModifyingApplication|endswith: '\MsMpEng.exe'
        - ApplicationPath|startswith:
              - 'C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Platform\'
              - 'C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\'
          ApplicationPath|endswith: '\MsMpEng.exe'
    condition: selection and not 1 of filter_main_* and not 1 of filter_optional_*
level: medium

title: Windows Firewall Profile Disabled
id: 488b44e7-3781-4a71-888d-c95abfacf44d
related:
    - id: 12f6b752-042d-483e-bf9c-915a6d06ad75
      type: similar
status: test
description: Detects when a user disables the Windows Firewall via a Profile to help evade defense.
references:
    - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/module/netsecurity/set-netfirewallprofile?view=windowsserver2022-ps
    - https://www.tutorialspoint.com/how-to-get-windows-firewall-profile-settings-using-powershell
    - https://web.archive.org/web/20230929023836/http://powershellhelp.space/commands/set-netfirewallrule-psv5.php
    - http://woshub.com/manage-windows-firewall-powershell/
    - https://www.elastic.co/guide/en/security/current/windows-firewall-disabled-via-powershell.html
author: Austin Songer @austinsonger
date: 2021-10-12
modified: 2022-12-30
tags:
    - attack.defense-impairment
    - attack.t1686.003
logsource:
    product: windows
    category: ps_script
    definition: 'Requirements: Script Block Logging must be enabled'
detection:
    selection_args:
        ScriptBlockText|contains|all:
            - 'Set-NetFirewallProfile '
            - ' -Enabled '
            - ' False'
    selection_opt:
        ScriptBlockText|contains:
            - ' -All '
            - 'Public'
            - 'Domain'
            - 'Private'
    condition: all of selection*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: medium

title: The Windows Defender Firewall Service Failed To Load Group Policy
id: 7ec15688-fd24-4177-ba43-1a950537ee39
status: test
description: Detects activity when The Windows Defender Firewall service failed to load Group Policy
references:
    - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/windows/it-pro/windows-server-2008-r2-and-2008/dd364427(v=ws.10)
author: frack113
date: 2022-02-19
modified: 2023-01-17
tags:
    - attack.defense-impairment
    - attack.t1686.003
logsource:
    product: windows
    service: firewall-as
detection:
    selection:
        EventID: 2009 # The Windows Defender Firewall service failed to load Group Policy
    condition: selection
level: low

title: Windows Defender Firewall Has Been Reset To Its Default Configuration
id: 04b60639-39c0-412a-9fbe-e82499c881a3
status: test
description: Detects activity when Windows Defender Firewall has been reset to its default configuration
references:
    - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/windows/it-pro/windows-server-2008-r2-and-2008/dd364427(v=ws.10)
author: frack113
date: 2022-02-19
modified: 2023-04-21
tags:
    - attack.defense-impairment
    - attack.t1686.003
logsource:
    product: windows
    service: firewall-as
detection:
    selection:
        EventID:
            - 2032 # Windows Defender Firewall has been reset to its default configuration
            - 2060 # Windows Defender Firewall has been reset to its default configuration. (Windows 11)
    condition: selection
level: low

title: Windows Firewall Settings Have Been Changed
id: 00bb5bd5-1379-4fcf-a965-a5b6f7478064
status: test
description: Detects activity when the settings of the Windows firewall have been changed
references:
    - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/windows/it-pro/windows-server-2008-r2-and-2008/dd364427(v=ws.10)
author: frack113, Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
date: 2022-02-19
modified: 2023-04-21
tags:
    - attack.defense-impairment
    - attack.t1686.003
logsource:
    product: windows
    service: firewall-as
detection:
    selection:
        EventID:
            - 2002 # A Windows Defender Firewall setting has changed.
            - 2083 # A Windows Defender Firewall setting has changed. (Windows 11)
            - 2003 # A Windows Firewall setting in the profile has changed
            - 2082 # A Windows Defender Firewall setting in the %1 profile has changed. (Windows 11)
            - 2008  # Windows Firewall Group Policy settings have changed. The new settings have been applied
            # - 2010  # Network profile changed on an interface.
    condition: selection
level: low