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Linux auditd alerts on syslog daemon configuration file changes

Alerts when syslog daemon configuration files are changed on a Linux host via auditd PATH events.

FreeReviewedSigma · High · v3
Product
linux
Service
auditd
Author
Mikhail Larin, oscd.community (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2019-10-25
Updated
2026-07-31
AnalysisDetection

ATT&CK techniques

  1. Recon

  2. Resource Dev

  3. Initial Access

  4. Execution

  5. Persistence

  6. Priv Esc

  7. Defense Evasion

  8. Cred Access

  9. Discovery

  10. Lateral Movement

  11. Collection

  12. C2

  13. Exfiltration

  14. Impact

What it detects

This rule flags events where syslog daemon configuration files are modified or accessed on Linux hosts, including /etc/syslog.conf, /etc/rsyslog.conf, and /etc/syslog-ng/syslog-ng.conf. Changes to logging configuration are a common defense-impairment technique, as attackers may aim to reduce or redirect log visibility. It relies on auditd telemetry reporting PATH-based activity involving these specific configuration files.

Reporting behind it

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Linux auditd alerts on syslog daemon configuration file changes
Pivot detection · T1685 · 9 related

Changelog

v3
  1. v3
    Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
  2. v2
    Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
  3. 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.