Windows Defender configuration was changed

// EVENT DEFINITION:

General Windows Defender settings, exclusion paths, or scanning schedules were modified.

// DETAILED TELEMETRY & CONTEXT:

Event ID 5007 (`Microsoft-Windows-Windows Defender/Operational`) logs any change to Defender configuration (`Old Value` to `New Value`), including path exclusions (`ExclusionPath`), extension exclusions, and process exclusions. Threat actors frequently run `Add-MpPreference -ExclusionPath C:\Windows\Temp` (`5007`) to create an unmonitored blind spot where they can execute ransomware and Mimikatz undetected.

[ ! ]Failure Reason / Root Cause Analysis

Modification of Windows Defender preferences (e.g., path/process exclusion added).

Operational Metadata & Applicability

Log Category:Windows Defender

Audit Type Classification:Failure Audit

Supported Operating Systems:Windows Server 2016, 2019, 2022 / Windows Client 10, 11 (Enterprise / Pro)

Threat Hunting Keywords:

5007defender configuration changedexclusionpath addedav path exclusionblind spot createdt1562.001

MITRE ATT&CK Framework Alignment

T1562.001

Impair Defenses: Disable or Modify ToolsTactic: Defense Evasion

Mitigation Playbook & Recommended SOC Actions

•Inspect `New Value` immediately. If path exclusions (`ExclusionPath`) or process exclusions (`ExclusionProcess`) were added for temporary folders (`C:\ProgramData`, `C:\Windows\Temp`, `C:\Users\*`), treat as active defense evasion (`T1562.001`).

Representative Windows Event XML Schema

<Event xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/win/2004/08/events/event">
  <System>
    <Provider Name="Microsoft-Windows-Security-Auditing" Guid="{54849625-5478-4994-A5BA-3E3B0328C30D}" />
    <EventID>5007</EventID>
    <Version>0</Version>
    <Level>0</Level>
    <Task>12544</Task>
    <Opcode>0</Opcode>
    <Keywords>0x8020000000000000</Keywords>
    <TimeCreated SystemTime="2026-07-17T09:54:44.349Z" />
    <EventRecordID>1048576</EventRecordID>
    <Correlation />
    <Execution ProcessID="612" ThreadID="1024" />
    <Channel>Security</Channel>
    <Computer>DC01.enterprise.internal</Computer>
    <Security />
  </System>
  <EventData>
    <Data Name="SubjectUserSid">S-1-5-18</Data>
    <Data Name="SubjectUserName">SYSTEM</Data>
    <Data Name="SubjectDomainName">NT AUTHORITY</Data>
    <Data Name="SubjectLogonId">0x3e7</Data>
    <!-- Event telemetry fields specific to Windows Defender configuration was changed -->
  </EventData>
</Event>

Correlated / Related Security Event IDs

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