Linux auditd alerts on syslog daemon configuration file changes

ATT&CK techniques

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
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

Related detections9 linkedT1685 — drag to rearrange

Suspicious Vulnerable Intel Ethernet Driver Load for BYOVD via SCATTERED SPIDER (via driver_load)

Malicious Defender Disable And Executable Exclusion Via Registry

Malicious UAC Disable via EnableLUA Registry Modification (via registry_set)

Malicious AMSI and ETW Patching via PowerShell Script

Malicious PowMix AMSI Bypass via amsiInitFailed

Suspicious ThrottleStop Driver Abuse for Defense Evasion in Ransomware Attacks

Malicious Disabling of Microsoft Defender Real-Time Protection via SystemSettingsAdminFlows by DeadLock Ransomware

Suspicious Security Software Uninstallation via WMIC Product Call Uninstall (Chaos Ransomware)

Suspicious Security Product Uninstall via wmic product call uninstall

Linux auditd alerts on syslog daemon configuration file changes

Pivot detection · T1685 · 9 related

Changelog

v3

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.

linux-auditd-alerts-for-syslog-daemon-configuration-file-changes-c830f15d

title: Linux auditd alerts on syslog daemon configuration file changes
id: ff6878e2-9b23-4170-aaf6-adfba03d155b
status: test
description: 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.
references:
  - self experience
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/linux/auditd/path/lnx_auditd_logging_config_change.yml
author: Mikhail Larin, oscd.community, Huntrule Team
date: 2019-10-25
modified: 2021-11-27
tags:
  - attack.defense-impairment
  - attack.t1685
logsource:
  product: linux
  service: auditd
detection:
  selection:
    type: PATH
    name:
      - /etc/syslog.conf
      - /etc/rsyslog.conf
      - /etc/syslog-ng/syslog-ng.conf
  condition: selection
falsepositives:
  - Legitimate administrative activity
level: high
license: DRL-1.1
related:
  - id: c830f15d-6f6e-430f-8074-6f73d6807841
    type: derived

Convert

This rule as a query you can run. Uses no unlock credit.

SplunkSPL