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Windows Backup Deleted Via Wbadmin.EXE

Detects the deletion of backups or system state backups via "wbadmin.exe". This technique is used by numerous ransomware families and actors. This may only be successful on server platforms that have Windows Backup enabled.

MITRE ATT&CK

T1490

impact

Detection Query

selection_img:
  - Image|endswith: \wbadmin.exe
  - OriginalFileName: WBADMIN.EXE
selection_cli:
  CommandLine|contains|all:
    - "delete "
    - backup
filter_main_keep_versions:
  CommandLine|contains: keepVersions:0
condition: all of selection_* and not 1 of filter_main_*

Author

frack113, Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)

Created

2021-12-13

Data Sources

windowsProcess Creation Events

Platforms

windows

References

Tags

attack.impactattack.t1490

Raw Content

title: Windows Backup Deleted Via Wbadmin.EXE
id: 89f75308-5b1b-4390-b2d8-d6b2340efaf8
related:
    - id: 639c9081-f482-47d3-a0bd-ddee3d4ecd76
      type: derived
status: test
description: |
    Detects the deletion of backups or system state backups via "wbadmin.exe".
    This technique is used by numerous ransomware families and actors.
    This may only be successful on server platforms that have Windows Backup enabled.
references:
    - https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/f339e7da7d05f6057fdfcdd3742bfcf365fee2a9/atomics/T1490/T1490.md#atomic-test-5---windows---delete-volume-shadow-copies-via-wmi-with-powershell
    - https://github.com/albertzsigovits/malware-notes/blob/558898932c1579ff589290092a2c8febefc3a4c9/Ransomware/Lockbit.md
    - https://www.sentinelone.com/labs/ranzy-ransomware-better-encryption-among-new-features-of-thunderx-derivative/
    - https://www.trendmicro.com/vinfo/us/security/news/cybercrime-and-digital-threats/ransomware-report-avaddon-and-new-techniques-emerge-industrial-sector-targeted
    - https://www.trendmicro.com/content/dam/trendmicro/global/en/research/24/b/lockbit-attempts-to-stay-afloat-with-a-new-version/technical-appendix-lockbit-ng-dev-analysis.pdf
    - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/windows-commands/wbadmin-delete-systemstatebackup
author: frack113, Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
date: 2021-12-13
modified: 2024-05-10
tags:
    - attack.impact
    - attack.t1490
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_img:
        - Image|endswith: '\wbadmin.exe'
        - OriginalFileName: 'WBADMIN.EXE'
    selection_cli:
        CommandLine|contains|all:
            - 'delete '
            - 'backup' # Also covers "SYSTEMSTATEBACKUP"
    filter_main_keep_versions:
        # Note: We exclude this to avoid duplicate alerts with 639c9081-f482-47d3-a0bd-ddee3d4ecd76
        CommandLine|contains: 'keepVersions:0'
    condition: all of selection_* and not 1 of filter_main_*
falsepositives:
    - Legitimate backup activity from administration scripts and software.
level: medium