Detect CVE-2026-32202 Microsoft Windows Protection Mechanism Failure in Elastic Security
Detects exploitation of CVE-2026-32202, a Microsoft Windows Protection Mechanism Failure vulnerability (CWE-693) listed in CISA KEV. This vulnerability allows attackers to bypass security controls in Windows, potentially enabling privilege escalation, defense evasion, or code execution. Detection focuses on anomalous process behavior, security feature bypass indicators, and suspicious Windows API usage patterns consistent with protection mechanism circumvention.
MITRE ATT&CK
Elastic Detection Query
sequence by host.name, user.name with maxspan=10m
[process where event.type == "start" and
process.name : ("cmd.exe", "powershell.exe", "wscript.exe", "cscript.exe", "mshta.exe", "rundll32.exe", "regsvr32.exe") and
not process.parent.name : ("explorer.exe", "svchost.exe", "services.exe", "msiexec.exe")]
[any where event.category : ("process", "registry") and
(
(event.category == "process" and process.command_line : ("*SeDebugPrivilege*", "*AdjustTokenPrivileges*", "*BypassUAC*", "*Set-MpPreference*", "*DisableRealtimeMonitoring*", "*NtSetInformationToken*")) or
(event.category == "registry" and registry.path : ("*Windows Defender*", "*SecurityHealthService*", "*WinDefend*") and registry.data.strings : ("*0*", "*false*", "*disabled*"))
)
]EQL sequence detection correlating suspicious child process spawning followed by protection mechanism bypass activity within a 10-minute window.
Data Sources
Required Tables
False Positives & Tuning
- Legitimate IT automation scripts spawned from non-standard parent processes
- Security software modifying defender registry keys as part of product installation
- Authorized red team exercises performing bypass testing
- Enterprise management tools using token privilege APIs for legitimate administrative functions
Other platforms for CVE-2026-32202
Testing Methodology
Validate this detection against 4 adversary techniques from Atomic Red Team. Each test below lists the behaviour to exercise and the telemetry you should expect to see. Executable commands and cleanup steps are available with Pro.
- Test 1Disable Windows Defender Real-Time Protection via PowerShell
Expected signal: Windows Security Event 4688 (process create) for powershell.exe; Sysmon Event 1 with command line containing Set-MpPreference; possible Windows Defender Event 5001 (real-time protection disabled); registry modification under HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Defender
- Test 2Enable SeDebugPrivilege via Token Manipulation
Expected signal: Windows Security Event 4703 (token right adjusted) for SeDebugPrivilege; Sysmon Event 1 for powershell.exe process creation; PowerShell ScriptBlock log Event 4104 capturing the command
- Test 3Windows Defender Registry Key Tampering
Expected signal: Windows Security Event 4657 (registry value modified); Sysmon Events 12 and 13 (registry key create/value set) for HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender; Windows Security Center Event 5001
- Test 4Spawn Scripting Engine from Unusual Parent Process
Expected signal: Sysmon Event 1 showing cmd.exe with ParentImage=powershell.exe; Windows Security Event 4688 chain; command output in process creation logs
Unlock Pro Content
Get the full detection package for CVE-2026-32202 including response playbook, investigation guide, and atomic red team tests.