Windows EDR techniques¶
What?¶
Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) solutions for Windows environments focus on monitoring system activities through deep instrumentation of the Windows API, kernel callbacks, and event logging. Modern Windows EDR leverages process creation monitoring (via ETW), file system minifilter drivers, registry callbacks, and AMSI integration for script scanning. Advanced solutions employ user-mode hooking and kernel telemetry to detect sophisticated attacks like process hollowing, LSASS dumping, and CLM bypass attempts. Key challenges include balancing performance impact with visibility while maintaining detection efficacy against living-off-the-land binaries (LOLBins) and fileless attacks.
Why?¶
#1 targeted OS: 90% of malware attacks focus on Windows.
Native tools aren’t enough: Defender misses fileless attacks and LOLBins.
Regulatory demands: Needed for HIPAA, GDPR, and FedRAMP compliance.