Detect CVE-2026-32202 Microsoft Windows Protection Mechanism Failure in IBM QRadar
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
QRadar Detection Query
SELECT DATEFORMAT(starttime, 'YYYY-MM-dd HH:mm:ss') as event_time,
sourceip, destinationip, username,
QIDNAME(qid) as event_name,
"Process Name", "Command", "Registry Key",
logsourcename(logsourceid) as log_source,
categoryname(category) as category_name
FROM events
WHERE LOGSOURCETYPENAME(devicetype) IN ('Microsoft Windows Security Event Log', 'Microsoft Sysmon')
AND starttime > NOW() - 86400000
AND (
("Process Name" ILIKE '%cmd.exe%' OR "Process Name" ILIKE '%powershell.exe%' OR
"Process Name" ILIKE '%wscript.exe%' OR "Process Name" ILIKE '%cscript.exe%' OR
"Process Name" ILIKE '%mshta.exe%' OR "Process Name" ILIKE '%rundll32.exe%')
AND NOT ("Parent Process" ILIKE '%explorer.exe%' OR "Parent Process" ILIKE '%svchost.exe%')
)
OR (
"Command" ILIKE '%SeDebugPrivilege%'
OR "Command" ILIKE '%AdjustTokenPrivileges%'
OR "Command" ILIKE '%BypassUAC%'
OR "Command" ILIKE '%Set-MpPreference%'
OR "Command" ILIKE '%DisableRealtimeMonitoring%'
OR "Command" ILIKE '%NtSetInformationToken%'
)
OR (
"Registry Key" ILIKE '%Windows Defender%'
AND (qid IN (SELECT id FROM qidmap WHERE category = 'Registry Audit'))
)
GROUP BY sourceip, username, "Process Name"
ORDER BY event_time DESC
LIMIT 500QRadar AQL query detecting Windows protection mechanism bypass indicators including suspicious process lineage, bypass command-line arguments, and Windows Defender registry modifications.
Data Sources
Required Tables
False Positives & Tuning
- Legitimate PowerShell administration scripts modifying Defender settings through authorized management channels
- Software deployment tools that spawn cmd.exe or scripts from non-standard parent processes
- Security assessment tools running in authorized windows
- Enterprise backup or monitoring agents using privilege adjustment APIs
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.