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T1529 · impact · ATT&CK 20.0

System Shutdown/Reboot

Adversaries may shutdown/reboot systems to interrupt access to, or aid in the destruction of, those systems. Operating systems may contain commands to initiate a shutdown/reboot of a machine or network device. In some cases, these commands may also be used to initiate a shutdown/reboot of a remote computer or network device via [Network Device CLI](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1059/008) (e.g. <code>reload</code>).(Citation: Microsoft Shutdown Oct 2017)(Citation: alert_TA18_106A) They may also include shutdown/reboot of a virtual machine via hypervisor / cloud consoles or command line tools. Shutting down or rebooting systems may disrupt access to computer resources for legitimate users while also impeding incident response/recovery. Adversaries may also use Windows API functions, such as `InitializeSystemShutdownExW` or `ExitWindowsEx`, to force a system to shut down or reboot.(Citation: CrowdStrike Blog)(Citation: Unit42 Agrius 2023) Alternatively, the `NtRaiseHardError`or `ZwRaiseHardError` Windows API functions with the `ResponseOption` parameter set to `OptionShutdownSystem` may deliver a “blue screen of death” (BSOD) to a system.(Citation: SonicWall)(Citation: NtRaiseHardError)(Citation: NotMe-BSOD) In order to leverage these API functions, an adversary may need to acquire `SeShutdownPrivilege` (e.g., via [Access Token Manipulation](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1134)).(Citation: Unit42 Agrius 2023) In some cases, the system may not be able to boot again. Adversaries may attempt to shutdown/reboot a system after impacting it in other ways, such as [Disk…

Open detection, hunting, mitigation, and evidence workspace

Detection logic

Use process monitoring to monitor the execution and command line parameters of binaries involved in shutting down or rebooting systems. Windows event logs may also designate activity associated with a shutdown/reboot, ex. Event ID 1074 and 6006. Unexpected or unauthorized commands from network cli on network devices may also be associated with shutdown/reboot, e.g. the reload command.

Observed actors

Lazarus Group
G0032APT37
G0067APT38
G0082Medusa Group
G1051

Correlated CTI and IR reports

ATT&CK as a Working Tool: Theory and Hands-On Practical Usage
1200km CTI repository · explicit report mentionCTI Research: Sandworm / APT44
1200km CTI repository · explicit report mentionCTI Research: Sandworm / APT44
1200km CTI repository · explicit report mentionATT CK as a Working Tool Theory and Hands On Practical Usage
1200km Medium · authored report mentionCTI Research Sandworm APT44
1200km Medium · authored report mention

Cyber Knowledge context

Use these routes to move from the ATT&CK behavior into explanation, implementation, evidence handling, validation, and defensive operations. Relevance is generated from explicit identifiers/names and governed topic mappings; it is not attribution evidence.

Secure AI development lifecycle and production release gate
AI Security · Governed topic match · 57/100Linux and macOS endpoint forensics
Digital Forensics & Incident Response (DFIR) · Tactic learning route · 24/100Policy architecture, standards, procedures, and exceptions
Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) · Tactic learning route · 24/100Module 6 — Alert triage, investigation, and escalation
Blue Team & Defensive Security · Tactic learning route · 24/100

MITRE mitigations

No ATT&CK mitigation relationship is published for this technique. Apply risk-based controls and verify scope.

MITRE detection strategies and analytics

DET0559 · Multi-Platform Shutdown or Reboot Detection via Execution and Host Status Events
  • AN1538 · Analytic 1538 — Correlate process execution of shutdown/reboot commands (e.g., shutdown.exe, restart-computer) with host status change logs (Event IDs 1074, 6006) and absence of related administrative context (e.g., user not in Helpdesk group).
  • AN1539 · Analytic 1539 — Detect 'shutdown', 'reboot', or 'systemctl poweroff' executions with auditd/syslog and absence of scheduled maintenance windows or approved user context.
  • AN1540 · Analytic 1540 — Identify use of 'shutdown', 'reboot', or 'osascript' system shutdown invocations within unified logs and track unexpected shutdown sequences initiated by GUI or script. Cross-reference with user activity or absence thereof.
  • AN1541 · Analytic 1541 — Detect commands such as 'esxcli system shutdown' or 'vim-cmd vmsvc/power.shutdown' executed outside of maintenance windows or via unusual users. Reboot logs in hostd.log and shell logs should be correlated.
  • AN1542 · Analytic 1542 — Monitor CLI 'reload' commands issued without scheduled maintenance, and correlate to TACACS+/AAA logs for privilege validation.
MITRE detection source

Continue the investigation

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