WBEM Files

Overview

Evidence: WBEM Description: Collect WBEM Files Category: Other Evidence Platform: Windows Short Name: wbem Is Parsed: No - Raw repository and log files Sent to Investigation Hub: Yes Collect File(s): No

Background

Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) uses the WBEM (Web-Based Enterprise Management) repository to store WMI class definitions, instances, and configuration. The repository and associated logs can contain evidence of WMI usage, persistence, and system management activities.

The WBEM repository has been abused by attackers for persistence and reconnaissance, making these files valuable for forensic analysis.

Data Collected

Field	Description	Example
Name	Artifact name	WBEM
Type	Folder	Folder
SourcePath	Original folder path	C:\Windows\System32\wbem\Repository
Path	Relative path in evidence	Other/Repository

Collection Method

This collector collects WBEM-related directories:

• Windows\System32\wbem\Repository - WMI repository

• Windows\System32\wbem\Logs - WMI log files

• Windows\System32\wbem\AutoRecover - Auto-recovery MOFs

Usage

WBEM files can reveal WMI persistence mechanisms and system management activity. Investigators use this data to detect WMI-based persistence, analyze WMI repository modifications, track system management activities, and investigate WMI abuse by attackers.

Known Limitations

• Repository format is proprietary

• Requires specialized WMI tools for analysis

• Files may be locked by WMI service

• Complex structure requiring WMI expertise

Notes

The WMI repository can be analyzed for malicious event consumers and other persistence mechanisms. Correlate with the WMI Persistence collector for active WMI event consumers.