> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/analytics-alerts/alerts-by-name/suspicious-disablement-of-the-windows-firewall-using-powershell-commands.md).

# Suspicious disablement of the Windows Firewall using PowerShell commands

### Synopsis

| Field                | Value                                                          |
| -------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Activation Period    | 14 Days                                                        |
| Training Period      | 30 Days                                                        |
| Test Period          | N/A (single event)                                             |
| Deduplication Period | 1 Day                                                          |
| Required Data        | XDR Agent with eXtended Threat Hunting (XTH)                   |
| ATT\&CK Tactic       | Defense Evasion (TA0005)                                       |
| ATT\&CK Technique    | Impair Defenses: Disable or Modify System Firewall (T1562.004) |
| Severity             | Medium                                                         |

### Description

The Windows Firewall has been disabled using PowerShell. Malware may turn it off to exfiltrate data and communicate with C2 servers.

### Attacker's Goals

An attacker may turn the firewall off to exfiltrate data and communicate with C2 servers.

### Investigative actions

* Check Windows event logs to see the PowerShell command or script that was executed.
* Check whether the PowerShell command is benign or normal for the host and/or user performing it.
* Investigate the endpoint to determine if it's a legitimate process that disabled the firewall.


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/analytics-alerts/alerts-by-name/suspicious-disablement-of-the-windows-firewall-using-powershell-commands.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.