Medium RiskWindowsLegitimate
mbam.exeSECURITY SOFTWAREmbam.exe - Malwarebytes Security Analysis
mbam.exe is the **Malwarebytes Anti-Malware** executable. Malwarebytes is a popular security tool for malware detection and removal. Attackers may attempt to **terminate or disable** Malwarebytes, or **masquerade malware** using its name. The absence of expected security software is a red flag.
Risk Summary
MEDIUM priority for SOC triage. mbam.exe is Malwarebytes anti-malware. Monitor for termination attempts, service disabling, or instances outside the normal installation path. Security software tampering indicates compromise.
Overview
What is mbam.exe?
Malwarebytes is a popular anti-malware security product.
Related Processes
| Process | Function |
|---|---|
| mbam.exe | Main GUI |
| MBAMService.exe | Protection service |
| mbamtray.exe | System tray |
Security Significance
- Security Tool: Detects malware
- Attack Target: Malware tries to disable
- Indicator: Absence may indicate compromise
Normal Behavior
Normal Behavior
Expected Process State
| Property | Expected Value |
|---|---|
| Path | C:\Program Files\Malwarebytes\Anti-Malware\mbam.exe |
| Parent | explorer.exe (user launch) |
| User | Logged-in user |
| Service | MBAMService running |
Common Locations
C:\Program Files\Malwarebytes\Anti-Malware\mbam.exeC:\Program Files (x86)\Malwarebytes\Anti-Malware\mbam.exeSuspicious Indicators
Legitimate vs Suspicious
LEGITIMATE
Path: C:\Program Files*\Malwarebytes\...
Status: Running with service
SUSPICIOUS
Path: C:\Temp\mbam.exe
Status: Service terminated
Not running when expected
Behavior: Termination attempts
Abuse Techniques
Attack Techniques
Technique #1: Security Tool Termination (T1562.001)
taskkill /f /im mbam.exe
net stop MBAMService
Technique #2: Service Disabling (T1562.001)
sc config MBAMService start= disabled
Technique #3: Process Masquerading (T1036.005)
Malware named mbam.exe to appear legitimate.
Detection Guidance
Detection Strategies
Priority #1: Termination Attempts
Process IN ["taskkill.exe", "sc.exe", "net.exe"] AND
CommandLine CONTAINS ["mbam", "malwarebytes", "MBAMService"]
→ ALERT: CRITICAL - Security software tampering
Priority #2: Path Verification
Process = "mbam.exe" AND
Path NOT CONTAINS "Malwarebytes"
→ ALERT: HIGH
Remediation Steps
Protection and Remediation
Defense: Self-Protection
Enable Malwarebytes self-protection.
If Compromise Suspected
- Verify Malwarebytes is running
- Check for tampering attempts
- Re-enable if disabled
- Run full scan
Investigation Checklist
Investigation Checklist
- Verify mbam.exe path
- Check service status
- Review for termination attempts
- Check self-protection status
MITRE ATT&CK Techniques
Last verified: January 18, 2026