Greedy File Deletion Using Del

SIGMA detection rule by frack113 , X__Junior (Nextron Systems) · GPL-2.0

Detects execution of the "del" builtin command to remove files using greedy/wildcard expression. This is often used by malware to delete content of folders that perhaps contains the initial malware infection or to delete evidence.

title: Greedy File Deletion Using Del
id: a0d3fa7f-7155-4aef-0428-ccfae2e54d9f
related:
    - id: 204b17ae-4007-471b-917b-b917b315c5db
      type: derived
status: test
description: Detects execution of the "del" builtin command to remove files using greedy/wildcard expression. This is often used by malware to delete content of folders that perhaps contains the initial malware infection or to delete evidence.
references:
    - https://www.joesandbox.com/analysis/509330/0/html#1044F3BDBE3BB6F734E357235F4D5898582D
    - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/windows-commands/erase
author: frack113 , X__Junior (Nextron Systems)
date: 2021-12-02
modified: 2023-09-11
tags:
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1070.004
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    process_creation:
        EventID: 4688
        Channel: Security
    selection_img:
        - NewProcessName|endswith: \cmd.exe
        - OriginalFileName: Cmd.Exe
    selection_del:
        CommandLine|contains:
            - 'del '
            - 'erase '
    selection_extensions:
        CommandLine|contains:
            - \\\*.au3
            - \\\*.dll
            - \\\*.exe
            - \\\*.js
    condition: process_creation and (all of selection_*)
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: medium
ruletype: Sigma

[[ currentRule.title && currentRule.title.length > 60 ? currentRule.title.slice(0, 60) + '…' : currentRule.title ]]

89630864-08f2-4acb-8218-da0750661976

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Executable code, not a declarative rule

This submission is arbitrary [[ currentRule.format ? currentRule.format.toUpperCase() : '' ]] code, not a declarative detection rule — review it as you would any script before running it, and note that it cannot be safely aggregated or auto-executed alongside YARA/Sigma/Suricata/CRS rules.

Rejected pattern present

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Format & documentation suggestions

Not a security issue — this rule is valid and was accepted as-is. These are optional fields/conventions its own format recommends, mainly affecting its quality score and how well it documents itself for other reviewers.

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[[ currentRule.title && currentRule.title.length > 60 ? currentRule.title.slice(0, 60) + '…' : currentRule.title ]]

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