title: SystemHelpDesk Detection - Smartapplicationcontroller (Ransomware) Execution
  & Triage
id: 035c12c9-7d99-586a-a747-1fe5b76eef8c
status: production
description: Detects execution, defense evasion, and persistence behaviors associated
  with the Smartapplicationcontroller malware family. Detects volume shadow copy deletion,
  boot status tampering, and recovery inhibition characteristic of modern ransomware
  operations.
references:
- https://malware-families-catalog.systemhelpdesk.com/families/smartapplicationcontroller
- https://malware-families-catalog.systemhelpdesk.com/defensive/ransomware-protection
- https://malware-families-catalog.systemhelpdesk.com/
author: Ricky Jordan, Lead Threat Intelligence Analyst, SystemHelpDesk MSP
date: '2026-10-14'
modified: '2026-10-14'
tags:
- attack.ransomware
- author.ricky-jordan
- source.systemhelpdesk-mfc
- attack.t1491
- attack.t1562_001
- attack.t1112
logsource:
  category: process_creation
  product: windows
detection:
  selection_process:
    Image|endswith:
    - \vssadmin.exe
    - \wmic.exe
    - \wbadmin.exe
    - \bcdedit.exe
    CommandLine|contains:
    - delete shadows
    - shadowcopy delete
    - resize shadowstorage
    - recoveryenabled no
    - ignoreallfailures
  condition: selection_process
falsepositives:
- Legitimate enterprise administrative scripts during approved change windows
- Authorized IT software deployment utilities and backup management agents
level: critical