Suspicious ESXi Syslog Configuration Change Through ESXCLI (via process_creation)

title: Suspicious ESXi Syslog Configuration Change Through ESXCLI (via process_creation)
id: 4c277941-72f4-5832-894a-319fd324253f
status: stable
description: This rule detects changes to the ESXi syslog configuration via "esxcli"
references:
    - https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1059/012/
    - https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1690/
    - https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1685/
    - 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
author: Huntrule Team
date: 2026-03-12
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:
    - Unknown
level: medium