Windows PowerShell Disable HTTP Logging

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Description

The following analtyic identifies the use of get-WebConfigurationProperty and Set-ItemProperty attempting to disable HTTP logging on windows via PowerShell. Adversaries may perform this action to disable HTTP logging to cover tracks and delete logs on disk.

• Type: TTP

• Product: Splunk Enterprise, Splunk Enterprise Security, Splunk Cloud

• Last Updated: 2022-12-21
• Author: Michael Haag, Splunk
• ID: 27958de0-2857-43ca-9d4c-b255cf59dcab

Annotations

ATT&CK

ATT&CK

ID	Technique	Tactic
T1562	Impair Defenses	Defense Evasion

T1562.002

Disable Windows Event Logging

Defense Evasion

T1505

Server Software Component

Persistence

T1505.004

IIS Components

Persistence

Kill Chain Phase

• Actions on Objectives

NIST

• DE.CM

CIS20

• CIS 3
• CIS 5
• CIS 16

CVE

Search

`powershell` EventCode=4104 ScriptBlockText IN("*get-WebConfigurationProperty*","*Set-ItemProperty*") AND ScriptBlockText IN ("*httpLogging*","*Logfile.enabled*") AND ScriptBlockText IN ("*dontLog*", "*false*")   
| stats count min(_time) as firstTime max(_time) as lastTime by EventCode ScriptBlockText Computer user_id 
| `security_content_ctime(firstTime)` 
| `security_content_ctime(lastTime)` 
| `windows_powershell_disable_http_logging_filter`

Macros

The SPL above uses the following Macros:

• powershell
• security_content_ctime

windows_powershell_disable_http_logging_filter is a empty macro by default. It allows the user to filter out any results (false positives) without editing the SPL.

Required fields

List of fields required to use this analytic.

• _time
• ScriptBlockText
• Computer
• EventCode

How To Implement

To successfully implement this analytic, you will need to enable PowerShell Script Block Logging on some or all endpoints. Additional setup here https://docs.splunk.com/Documentation/UBA/5.0.4.1/GetDataIn/AddPowerShell#Configure_module_logging_for_PowerShell.

Known False Positives

It is possible administrators or scripts may run these commands, filtering may be required.

Associated Analytic Story

• IIS Components
• Windows Defense Evasion Tactics

RBA

Risk Score	Impact	Confidence	Message
64.0	80	80	A PowerShell Cmdlet related to disable or modifying a IIS HTTP logging has occurred on $Computer$.

The Risk Score is calculated by the following formula: Risk Score = (Impact * Confidence/100). Initial Confidence and Impact is set by the analytic author.

Reference

• https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/blog/2022/12/12/iis-modules-the-evolution-of-web-shells-and-how-to-detect-them/
• https://www.crowdstrike.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/crowdstrike-iceapple-a-novel-internet-information-services-post-exploitation-framework-1.pdf
• https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42-oilrig-uses-rgdoor-iis-backdoor-targets-middle-east/
• https://www.secureworks.com/research/bronze-union

Test Dataset

Replay any dataset to Splunk Enterprise by using our replay.py tool or the UI. Alternatively you can replay a dataset into a Splunk Attack Range

• https://media.githubusercontent.com/media/splunk/attack_data/master/datasets/attack_techniques/T1505.004/4104_disable_http_logging_windows-powershell.log

source | version: 1