Sysmon Configuration Error

Description

Detects when an adversary is trying to hide it's action from Sysmon logging based on error messages

Query · sigma

selection_error:
  Description|contains:
  - Failed to open service configuration with error
  - Failed to connect to the driver to update configuration
filter_generic_english:
  Description|contains|all:
  - Failed to open service configuration with error
  - 'Last error: The media is write protected.'
filter_generic_french:
  Description|contains|all:
  - Failed to open service configuration with error
  - 'Last error: Média protégé en écriture.'
filter_by_errorcode:
  Description|contains:
  - Failed to open service configuration with error 19
  - Failed to open service configuration with error 93
condition: selection_error and not 1 of filter*

Known false positives

  • Legitimate administrative action
Raw source Sysmon Configuration Error · Sigma
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Published by SigmaHQ/sigma ↗, licensed under Detection Rule License 1.1 ↗. Reproduced here unmodified. 
title: Sysmon Configuration Error
id: 815cd91b-7dbc-4247-841a-d7dd1392b0a8
status: test
description: Detects when an adversary is trying to hide it's action from Sysmon logging based on error messages
references:
    - https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/f339e7da7d05f6057fdfcdd3742bfcf365fee2a9/atomics/T1562.001/T1562.001.md
    - https://talesfrominfosec.blogspot.com/2017/12/killing-sysmon-silently.html
author: frack113
date: 2021-06-04
modified: 2026-07-23
tags:
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1564
logsource:
    product: windows
    category: sysmon_error
detection:
    selection_error:
        Description|contains:
            - 'Failed to open service configuration with error'
            - 'Failed to connect to the driver to update configuration'
    filter_generic_english:
        Description|contains|all:
            - 'Failed to open service configuration with error'
            - 'Last error: The media is write protected.'
    filter_generic_french:
        Description|contains|all:
            - 'Failed to open service configuration with error'
            - 'Last error: Média protégé en écriture.'
    filter_by_errorcode:
        Description|contains:
            - 'Failed to open service configuration with error 19'
            - 'Failed to open service configuration with error 93'
    condition: selection_error and not 1 of filter*
falsepositives:
    - Legitimate administrative action
level: high

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