Bypass Record
Disable or Modify Tools × CrowdStrike Falcon Sensor
A publicly-reported instance of Disable or Modify Tools bypassing CrowdStrike Falcon Sensor, recorded with its original source. Factual record; no assessment of any specific deployment.
Mechanism
An attacker with NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM permissions uses Process Explorer to suspend CrowdStrike Falcon Sensor user-mode processes. Suspension is permitted while termination is blocked, creating a window where malicious applications execute without detection. Kernel components remain active, so some hooked actions (e.g., LSASS dumps) still trigger protection, but many malicious tools run freely.
Detection & mitigation
Monitor for process suspension events targeting CrowdStrike Falcon Sensor processes (e.g., via Sysmon Event ID 5 or Windows Security Event 4688 with Process Explorer). Implement endpoint detection rules to alert on suspension of security product processes. Ensure Falcon Sensor is updated to the latest version that prevents suspension.
This is a record of a publicly-reported event, not an assessment of any specific organization's deployment. Detection and mitigation notes are drawn from the cited source. Where the source is silent, fields are omitted.