Detection rules › Splunk
Windows Service Stop Win Updates
The following analytic detects the disabling of Windows Update services, such as "Update Orchestrator Service for Windows Update," "WaaSMedicSvc," and "Windows Update." It leverages Windows System Event ID 7040 logs to identify changes in service start modes to 'disabled.' This activity is significant as it can indicate an adversary's attempt to evade defenses by preventing critical updates, leaving the system vulnerable to exploits. If confirmed malicious, this could allow attackers to maintain persistence and exploit unpatched vulnerabilities, compromising the integrity and security of the affected host.
MITRE ATT&CK coverage
| Tactic | Techniques |
|---|---|
| Impact | T1489 Service Stop |
Event coverage
| Provider | Event ID | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Service-Control-Manager | 7040 |
Stages and Predicates
Stage 1: search
search (param1 IN ("UsoSvc", "WaaSMedicSvc", "wuauserv") OR service_name IN ("Update Orchestrator Service for Windows Update", "WaaSMedicSvc", "Windows Update")) (param3="disabled" OR start_mode="disabled") EventCode=7040
Stage 2: stats
stats BY Computer, Error_Code, service_name, start_mode, param1, param2, param3, param4
Stage 3: rename
rename
Stage 4: search
search
Stage 5: search
search
Stage 6: search
search `macro`
Indicators
Each row is a field, operator, and value that the rule matches. The corpus column counts how many other rules in the catalog look for the same combination: high numbers point to widely-used, community-vetted indicators. Blank or 1 shows that the indicator is specific to this rule.
| Field | Kind | Values |
|---|---|---|
EventCode | eq |
|
param1 | in |
|
param3 | eq |
|
service_name | in |
|
start_mode | eq |
|
Neighbors
Broader alternatives (more inclusive than this rule)
These rules match a superset of what this rule catches. They cover the same events plus more. Use them if you want wider coverage and can absorb more false positives.
- Windows Excessive Disabled Services Event (drops 2 filters this rule applies)