huntrule

Windows: AppCmd disables IIS HTTP logging via dontLog=true

Flags appcmd.exe commands that disable IIS HTTP logging by setting httplogging to dontLog:true.

FreeReviewedSigma · High · v2
Product
windows
Category
process_creation
Author
frack113 (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2022-01-09
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 process executions of appcmd.exe where the command sets the IIS HTTP logging section to dontLog:true. Disabling HTTP logging reduces available web request telemetry, which attackers may use to impair detection and hide activity. It relies on Windows process creation telemetry capturing Image and CommandLine content for appcmd.exe.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1685.001 — drag to rearrange
Malicious Security Event Log Disabled via wevtutil
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)
Suspicious IIS Logging Disabled via appcmd
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: AppCmd disables IIS HTTP logging via dontLog=true
Pivot detection · T1685.001 · 9 related

Changelog

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