Suspicious IIS Logging Disabled via appcmd

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 detects appcmd.exe being used to disable IIS request logging with the dontLog setting, matching defense-evasion activity in the Defence Impairment intrusion. Adversaries turn off IIS logging to hide webshell and web-based command execution from server logs. Disabling logging on a web server is a strong anti-forensic signal.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1685.001 — drag to rearrange

Malicious SQL Server Auditing Deactivated (via application)

Malicious Event Log Deactivation or Size Reduction - Command (via process_creation)

Malicious Audit Policy Disabled by Command Line (via process_creation)

Malicious SQL Server Database Auditing Deactivated (via application)

Malicious Audit Policy Disabled by Command Line (via security)

Malicious Event Log Tampering via wevtutil Channel Disable by FunkSec Ransomware (via process_creation)

OCSP Responder Auditing Settings Changed or Disabled (via security)

Windows Process Creation: Registry Modification to Disable ETW AutoLogger via reg.exe or PowerShell

Windows Process Creation: Disabling Security Logging via MiniNt Registry Key Set

Suspicious IIS Logging Disabled via appcmd

Pivot detection · T1685.001 · 9 related

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

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