t1679-selective-exclusion

name	T1679_selective-exclusion
description	Adversaries may intentionally exclude certain files, folders, directories, file types, or system components from encryption or tampering during a ransomware or malicious payload execution.
category	configuration
version	18.1
author	cyberstrike-official
tags	["mitre-attack","enterprise","t1679","defense-evasion","windows"]
technique_id	T1679
tactic	defense-evasion
all_tactics	["defense-evasion"]
platforms	["Windows"]
mitre_url	https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1679
tech_stack	["windows"]
cwe_ids	["CWE-693"]
chains_with	[]
prerequisites	[]
severity_boost	{}

T1679 Selective Exclusion

High-Level Description

Adversaries may intentionally exclude certain files, folders, directories, file types, or system components from encryption or tampering during a ransomware or malicious payload execution. Some file extensions that adversaries may avoid encrypting include .dll, .exe, and .lnk.

Adversaries may perform this behavior to avoid alerting users, to evade detection by security tools and analysts, or, in the case of ransomware, to ensure that the system remains operational enough to deliver the ransom notice.

Exclusions may target files and components whose corruption would cause instability, break core services, or immediately expose the attack. By carefully avoiding these areas, adversaries maintain system responsiveness while minimizing indicators that could trigger alarms or otherwise inhibit achieving their goals.

Kill Chain Phase

• Defense Evasion (TA0005)

Platforms: Windows

What to Check

• Identify if Selective Exclusion technique is applicable to target environment
• Check Windows systems for indicators of Selective Exclusion
• Assess detection coverage (1 detection strategies)

How to Test

Manual Testing

1. Identify Attack Surface: Determine if the target environment is susceptible to Selective Exclusion by examining the target platforms (Windows).

2. Assess Existing Defenses: Review whether mitigations for T1679 are in place. If defenses are absent or misconfigured, this technique may be exploitable.

3. Execute Test: Use tools and methods described in the MITRE ATT&CK page and external references below.

Note: No Atomic Red Team tests available for this technique. See Atomic Red Team GitHub for updates.

Remediation Guide

No specific mitigations documented for this technique.

Detection

Detection of Selective Exclusion

Risk Assessment

Finding	Severity	Impact
Selective Exclusion technique applicable