Sigma rule: Windows Backup Deleted Via Wbadmin.EXE

Rule

Title

Windows Backup Deleted Via Wbadmin.EXE

Status

test

Level

medium

Author

frack113, Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)

Date

2021-12-13

Modified

2024-05-10

File

rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_wbadmin_delete_backups.yml

Commit

ccbb0369507f796db0b0ae6854c8a2be471b9d84

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.

Log source

product

windows

category

process_creation

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_*

False positives (as the rule lists them)

• Legitimate backup activity from administration scripts and software.

Tags

• attack.impact
• attack.t1490

MITRE ATT&CK ids this rule names

• T1490

Related rules

• 639c9081-f482-47d3-a0bd-ddee3d4ecd76 (derived)

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

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/process_creation/proc_creation_win_wbadmin_delete_backups.yml