Sigma rule: Backup Files Deleted

Rule

Title

Backup Files Deleted

Status

test

Level

medium

Author

frack113

Date

2022-01-02

Modified

2023-02-15

File

rules/windows/file/file_delete/file_delete_win_delete_backup_file.yml

Commit

ccbb0369507f796db0b0ae6854c8a2be471b9d84

Detects deletion of files with extensions often used for backup files. Adversaries may delete or remove built-in operating system data and turn off services designed to aid in the recovery of a corrupted system to prevent recovery.

Log source

product

windows

category

file_delete

Detection

selection:
    Image|endswith:
        - '\cmd.exe'
        - '\powershell.exe'
        - '\pwsh.exe'
        - '\wt.exe'
        - '\rundll32.exe'
        - '\regsvr32.exe'
    TargetFilename|endswith:
        - '.VHD'
        - '.bac'
        - '.bak'
        - '.wbcat'
        - '.bkf'
        - '.set'
        - '.win'
        - '.dsk'
condition: selection

False positives (as the rule lists them)

• Legitimate usage

Tags

• attack.impact
• attack.t1490

MITRE ATT&CK ids this rule names

• T1490

References

• https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/f339e7da7d05f6057fdfcdd3742bfcf365fee2a9/atomics/T1490/T1490.md#atomic-test-6---windows---delete-backup-files

Read on 2026-11-03T00:58:21.399Z under licence sigma-drl-1.1@d5f4c36a from https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/ccbb0369507f796db0b0ae6854c8a2be471b9d84/rules/windows/file/file_delete/file_delete_win_delete_backup_file.yml