* [Blog](https://www2.paloaltonetworks.com/blog)
* [Security Operations](https://www2.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/)
* [Playbook of the Week](https://www2.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/category/playbook-of-the-week/)
* Automate Response to Even...

# Automate Response to Event Log Clearing Alerts with Cortex XSIAM

[](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww2.paloaltonetworks.com%2Fblog%2Fsecurity-operations%2Fautomate-response-to-event-log-clearing-alerts-with-cortex-xsiam%2F)  
[](https://twitter.com/share?text=Automate+Response+to+Event+Log+Clearing+Alerts+with+Cortex+XSIAM&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww2.paloaltonetworks.com%2Fblog%2Fsecurity-operations%2Fautomate-response-to-event-log-clearing-alerts-with-cortex-xsiam%2F)  
[](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww2.paloaltonetworks.com%2Fblog%2Fsecurity-operations%2Fautomate-response-to-event-log-clearing-alerts-with-cortex-xsiam%2F&title=Automate+Response+to+Event+Log+Clearing+Alerts+with+Cortex+XSIAM&summary=&source=)  
[](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com//www.reddit.com/submit?url=https://www2.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/automate-response-to-event-log-clearing-alerts-with-cortex-xsiam/&ts=markdown)  
\[\](mailto:?subject=Automate Response to Event Log Clearing Alerts with Cortex XSIAM)  
Link copied  
By [Sasha Sokolovich](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/author/sasha-sokolovich/?ts=markdown "Posts by Sasha Sokolovich")  
Jan 16, 2025  
3 minutes  
[Playbook of the Week](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/category/playbook-of-the-week/?ts=markdown)  
[Uncategorized](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/uncategorized/?ts=markdown)  
[Cortex XSIAM](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/tag/cortex-xsiam/?ts=markdown)  
[event logs](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/tag/event-logs/?ts=markdown)  
[MITRE](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/tag/mitre/?ts=markdown)  
[Security Automation](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/tag/security-automation/?ts=markdown)  
[T1070 - Indicator Removal](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/tag/t1070-indicator-removal/?ts=markdown)  
[T1490 - Inhibit System Recovery](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/tag/t1490-inhibit-system-recovery/?ts=markdown)

### **Reacting to Event Log Was Cleared Alerts**

**This playbook belongs to the** [**Cortex Response and Remediation Pack**](https://cortex.marketplace.pan.dev/marketplace/details/CortexResponseAndRemediation/)**, a comprehensive suite of automated workflows that enhance security operations efficiency. The pack supports the vision of an autonomous SOC.**

These playbooks are deeply integrated with XSIAM® analytics alert systems, using intelligent detection mechanisms to deliver precise, contextual responses. By seamlessly working with Cortex XSIAM®, these automated workflows handle investigation and remediation tasks automatically, allowing security teams to dedicate their attention to critical security threats.

### **Threat Overview: Event Log Clearing**

Event logs are crucial for monitoring and auditing activities within an enterprise. They provide visibility into user actions, system changes, and security events. Clearing event logs can be a legitimate administrative task, but it is also a common tactic employed by threat actors to cover their tracks after compromising a system.

This blog introduces a robust Cortex XSIAM playbook designed to address alerts related to event log clearing, ensuring security teams can respond promptly to potential threats.

### **Purpose of the Playbook**

The primary purpose of this playbook is to mitigate security risks by:

* Investigating the context of the cleared event log alert thoroughly.
* Determining whether the log clearing activity was authorized.
* Executing remediation actions if malicious activity is detected.

This playbook addresses the following alerts:

* Windows Event Log was cleared using wevtutil.exe.
* Security Event Log was cleared using wevtutil.exe.
* A Sensitive Windows Event Log was cleared using wevtutil.exe.
* Windows event logs were cleared with PowerShell.
* Suspicious clear or delete security provider event logs with PowerShell.
* Suspicious clear or delete default providers event logs with PowerShell.
* Windows event logs cleared using wmic.exe.

## **Stages of the Playbook**

### 1. Investigation

The playbook begins by investigating the alert to determine whether the event log clearing activity was malicious. It performs the following actions:

* **Identifies the causality chain process** (Causality Group Owner - CGO) responsible for the event log clearing.
* **Evaluates process prevalence** to determine whether the involved process is frequently observed or anomalous.
* **Checks process signatures** to verify if the parent process is unsigned or uncommon.
* **Analyzes related Cortex XSIAM alerts** to identify patterns indicating malicious behavior based on the MITRE ATT\&CK framework.

![Caption: Playbook Triggered](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/word-image-333072-1.png)
Caption: Playbook Triggered

### 2. Remediation

Based on the investigation results, the playbook will take a path upon verdict with the following actions:

* **Terminate the causality process (CGO)** to disrupt the entire causality chain associated with the alert, preventing further malicious activity. Upon successful operation, the alert will be closed.
* **Close non-malicious alerts** if the investigation finds no evidence of malicious behavior.

![Caption: Playbook Remediation Phase](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/word-image-333072-2.png)
Caption: Playbook Remediation Phase

### **Integration Requirements - To execute the response actions, the playbook requires the following integration:**

* **CortexCoreIR** - used for investigating associated processes and executing termination actions.

### **Addressing Security Challenges -** **Clearing event logs can indicate the following:**

* **Incident concealment:** Attackers attempting to erase evidence.
* **Privilege escalation attempts:** Hiding traces of unauthorized access.
* **Persistence mechanisms:** Obfuscating malicious activity.

This playbook provides an automated, structured response to mitigate these risks, ensuring:

* Threats are investigated and contained quickly.
* Incident data is preserved for forensic analysis.
* Remediation actions prevent recurrence.
* Low impact on the operation system and user experience.

### **Learn More**

For detailed documentation and implementation guidance, visit the[Event Log Was Cleared Playbook Documentation](https://xsoar.pan.dev/docs/reference/playbooks/event-log-was-cleared).

Stay ahead of evolving threats and protect your enterprise with Cortex XSIAM's automated playbooks.

*** ** * ** ***

## Related Blogs

### [Playbook of the Week](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/category/playbook-of-the-week/?ts=markdown), [Uncategorized](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/uncategorized/?ts=markdown)

[#### Automating Response to Unauthorized Scheduled Task Executions](https://www2.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/automating-response-to-unauthorized-scheduled-task-executions/)

### [Playbook of the Week](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/category/playbook-of-the-week/?ts=markdown), [Uncategorized](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/uncategorized/?ts=markdown)

[#### Automating Response to Unauthorized Tor Logins](https://www2.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/automating-response-to-unauthorized-tor-logins/)

### [Playbook of the Week](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/category/playbook-of-the-week/?ts=markdown)

[#### Automated Rapid Response to Suspicious Remote Scheduled Task Creation](https://www2.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/automated-rapid-response-to-suspicious-remote-scheduled-task-creation/)

### [Playbook of the Week](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/category/playbook-of-the-week/?ts=markdown)

[#### Automating Response to Unauthorized User Account Creation](https://www2.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/automating-response-to-unauthorized-user-account-creation/)

### [Playbook of the Week](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/category/playbook-of-the-week/?ts=markdown), [Uncategorized](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/uncategorized/?ts=markdown)

[#### Playbook of the Week: Cloud Token Theft Response](https://www2.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/playbook-of-the-week-cloud-token-theft-response/)

### [Playbook of the Week](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/category/playbook-of-the-week/?ts=markdown), [Uncategorized](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/uncategorized/?ts=markdown)

[#### Playbook of the Week: Automating EDL Management](https://www2.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/playbook-of-the-week-automating-edl-management/)

### Subscribe to Security Operations Blogs!

Sign up to receive must-read articles, Playbooks of the Week, new feature announcements, and more.
![spinner](https://www2.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/wp-content/themes/panwblog2023/dist/images/ajax-loader.gif) Sign up  
Please enter a valid email.  
By submitting this form, you agree to our [Terms of Use](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/terms-of-use?ts=markdown) and acknowledge our [Privacy Statement](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/privacy?ts=markdown). Please look for a confirmation email from us. If you don't receive it in the next 10 minutes, please check your spam folder.  
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google [Privacy Policy](https://policies.google.com/privacy) and [Terms of Service](https://policies.google.com/terms) apply.  
{#footer} {#footer}

## Products and Services

* [AI-Powered Network Security Platform](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security?ts=markdown)

* [Secure AI by Design](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/precision-ai-security/secure-ai-by-design?ts=markdown)

* [Prisma AIRS](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/prisma/prisma-ai-runtime-security?ts=markdown)

* [AI Access Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/ai-access-security?ts=markdown)

* [Cloud Delivered Security Services](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/security-subscriptions?ts=markdown)

* [Advanced Threat Prevention](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/advanced-threat-prevention?ts=markdown)

* [Advanced URL Filtering](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/advanced-url-filtering?ts=markdown)

* [Advanced WildFire](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/advanced-wildfire?ts=markdown)

* [Advanced DNS Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/advanced-dns-security?ts=markdown)

* [Enterprise Data Loss Prevention](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/enterprise-data-loss-prevention?ts=markdown)

* [Enterprise IoT Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/enterprise-device-security?ts=markdown)

* [Medical IoT Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/medical-device-security?ts=markdown)

* [Industrial OT Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/medical-device-security?ts=markdown)

* [SaaS Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/saas-security?ts=markdown)

* [Next-Generation Firewalls](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/next-generation-firewall?ts=markdown)

* [Hardware Firewalls](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/hardware-firewall-innovations?ts=markdown)

* [Software Firewalls](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/software-firewalls?ts=markdown)

* [Strata Cloud Manager](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/strata-cloud-manager?ts=markdown)

* [SD-WAN for NGFW](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/sd-wan-subscription?ts=markdown)

* [PAN-OS](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/pan-os?ts=markdown)

* [Panorama](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/panorama?ts=markdown)

* [Secure Access Service Edge](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase?ts=markdown)

* [Prisma SASE](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase?ts=markdown)

* [Application Acceleration](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/app-acceleration?ts=markdown)

* [Autonomous Digital Experience Management](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/adem?ts=markdown)

* [Enterprise DLP](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/enterprise-data-loss-prevention?ts=markdown)

* [Prisma Access](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/access?ts=markdown)

* [Prisma Browser](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/prisma-browser?ts=markdown)

* [Prisma SD-WAN](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/sd-wan?ts=markdown)

* [Remote Browser Isolation](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/remote-browser-isolation?ts=markdown)

* [SaaS Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/saas-security?ts=markdown)

* [AI-Driven Security Operations Platform](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex?ts=markdown)

* [Cloud Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud?ts=markdown)

* [Cortex Cloud](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud?ts=markdown)

* [Application Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud/application-security?ts=markdown)

* [Cloud Posture Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud/cloud-posture-security?ts=markdown)

* [Cloud Runtime Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud/runtime-security?ts=markdown)

* [Prisma Cloud](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/prisma/cloud?ts=markdown)

* [AI-Driven SOC](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex?ts=markdown)

* [Cortex XSIAM](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cortex-xsiam?ts=markdown)

* [Cortex XDR](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cortex-xdr?ts=markdown)

* [Cortex XSOAR](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cortex-xsoar?ts=markdown)

* [Cortex Xpanse](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cortex-xpanse?ts=markdown)

* [Unit 42 Managed Detection \& Response](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/managed-detection-and-response?ts=markdown)

* [Managed XSIAM](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/managed-xsiam?ts=markdown)

* [Threat Intel and Incident Response Services](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42?ts=markdown)

* [Proactive Assessments](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/assess?ts=markdown)

* [Incident Response](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/respond?ts=markdown)

* [Transform Your Security Strategy](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/transform?ts=markdown)

* [Discover Threat Intelligence](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/threat-intelligence-partners?ts=markdown)

## Company

* [About Us](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/about-us?ts=markdown)
* [Careers](https://jobs.paloaltonetworks.com/en/)
* [Contact Us](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/company/contact-sales?ts=markdown)
* [Corporate Responsibility](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/about-us/corporate-responsibility?ts=markdown)
* [Customers](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/customers?ts=markdown)
* [Investor Relations](https://investors.paloaltonetworks.com/)
* [Location](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/about-us/locations?ts=markdown)
* [Newsroom](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/company/newsroom?ts=markdown)

## Popular Links

* [Blog](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/?ts=markdown)
* [Communities](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/communities?ts=markdown)
* [Content Library](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/resources?ts=markdown)
* [Cyberpedia](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia?ts=markdown)
* [Event Center](https://events.paloaltonetworks.com/)
* [Manage Email Preferences](https://start.paloaltonetworks.com/preference-center)
* [Products A-Z](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/products/products-a-z?ts=markdown)
* [Product Certifications](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/trust-center/compliance?ts=markdown)
* [Report a Vulnerability](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/security-disclosure?ts=markdown)
* [Sitemap](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sitemap?ts=markdown)
* [Tech Docs](https://docs.paloaltonetworks.com/)
* [Unit 42](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/)
* [Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information](https://panwedd.exterro.net/portal/dsar.htm?target=panwedd)
  ![PAN logo](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/etc/clientlibs/clean/imgs/pan-logo-dark.svg)
* [Privacy](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/privacy?ts=markdown)
* [Trust Center](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/trust-center?ts=markdown)
* [Terms of Use](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/terms-of-use?ts=markdown)
* [Documents](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal?ts=markdown)

Copyright © 2026 Palo Alto Networks. All Rights Reserved

* [![Youtube](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/etc/clientlibs/clean/imgs/social/youtube-black.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/user/paloaltonetworks)
* [![Podcast](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/content/dam/pan/en_US/images/icons/podcast.svg)](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/podcasts/threat-vector?ts=markdown)
* [![Facebook](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/etc/clientlibs/clean/imgs/social/facebook-black.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/PaloAltoNetworks/)
* [![LinkedIn](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/etc/clientlibs/clean/imgs/social/linkedin-black.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/palo-alto-networks)
* [![Twitter](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/etc/clientlibs/clean/imgs/social/twitter-x-black.svg)](https://twitter.com/PaloAltoNtwks)
* EN  
  Select your language