Linux Process: ESXi syslog configuration changed via esxcli system syslog config set

Detects esxcli commands that set ESXi syslog configuration based on command-line terms.

FreeReviewedSigma · Medium · v3

Product: linux
Category: process_creation
Author: Cedric Maurugeon (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published: 2023-09-04
Updated: 2026-07-31

ATT&CK techniques

Execution

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
- T1059Command and Scripting Interpreter
- T1059.012Hypervisor CLI
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule flags process executions where the command line includes ESXCLI system syslog config and a 'set' action, indicating an attempted change to ESXi syslog configuration. Attackers may use this to impair logging or redirect where system events are sent, reducing visibility. It relies on process creation telemetry from Linux, including the executable path/name and the full command line contents.

Reporting behind it

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Linux Process: ESXi syslog configuration changed via esxcli system syslog config set

Pivot detection · T1685 · 9 related

Changelog

v3
Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
v2
Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
v1
No changelog recorded for this version.2026-07-30

Detection content is published as a reviewed draft. Tune thresholds and exclusions against your own telemetry before enabling this rule for alerting.

esxi-syslog-configuration-change-via-esxcli-on-linux-38eb1dbb

title: "Linux Process: ESXi syslog configuration changed via esxcli system syslog config set"
id: 5ee260a4-1ac2-440c-b8ea-1a0071a21c98
status: test
description: This rule flags process executions where the command line includes ESXCLI system syslog config and a 'set' action, indicating an attempted change to ESXi syslog configuration. Attackers may use this to impair logging or redirect where system events are sent, reducing visibility. It relies on process creation telemetry from Linux, including the executable path/name and the full command line contents.
references:
  - https://support.solarwinds.com/SuccessCenter/s/article/Configure-ESXi-Syslog-to-LEM?language=en_US
  - https://developer.broadcom.com/xapis/esxcli-command-reference/7.0.0/namespace/esxcli_system.html
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/linux/process_creation/proc_creation_lnx_esxcli_syslog_config_change.yml
author: Cedric Maurugeon, Huntrule Team
date: 2023-09-04
tags:
  - attack.execution
  - attack.defense-impairment
  - attack.t1685
  - attack.t1690
  - attack.t1059.012
logsource:
  category: process_creation
  product: linux
detection:
  selection:
    Image|endswith: /esxcli
    CommandLine|contains|all:
      - system
      - syslog
      - config
    CommandLine|contains: " set"
  condition: selection
falsepositives:
  - Legitimate administrative activities
level: medium
license: DRL-1.1
related:
  - id: 38eb1dbb-011f-40b1-a126-cf03a0210563
    type: derived

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