Windows PowerShell Disable HTTP Logging

Original Source: [splunk source]
Name:Windows PowerShell Disable HTTP Logging
id:27958de0-2857-43ca-9d4c-b255cf59dcab
version:3
date:2024-09-30
author:Michael Haag, Splunk
status:production
type:TTP
Description:The following analytic detects the use of `get-WebConfigurationProperty` and `Set-ItemProperty` commands in PowerShell to disable HTTP logging on Windows systems. This detection leverages PowerShell Script Block Logging, specifically looking for script blocks that reference HTTP logging properties and attempt to set them to "false" or "dontLog". Disabling HTTP logging is significant as it can be used by adversaries to cover their tracks and delete logs, hindering forensic investigations. If confirmed malicious, this activity could allow attackers to evade detection and persist in the environment undetected.
Data_source:
  • -Powershell Script Block Logging 4104
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`


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.
References:
  -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
drilldown_searches:
name:'View the detection results for - "$Computer$"'
search:'%original_detection_search% | search Computer = "$Computer$"'
earliest_offset:'$info_min_time$'
latest_offset:'$info_max_time$'
name:'View risk events for the last 7 days for - "$Computer$"'
search:'| from datamodel Risk.All_Risk | search normalized_risk_object IN ("$Computer$") starthoursago=168 | stats count min(_time) as firstTime max(_time) as lastTime values(search_name) as "Search Name" values(risk_message) as "Risk Message" values(analyticstories) as "Analytic Stories" values(annotations._all) as "Annotations" values(annotations.mitre_attack.mitre_tactic) as "ATT&CK Tactics" by normalized_risk_object | `security_content_ctime(firstTime)` | `security_content_ctime(lastTime)`'
earliest_offset:'$info_min_time$'
latest_offset:'$info_max_time$'
tags:
  analytic_story:
    - 'IIS Components'
    - 'Windows Defense Evasion Tactics'
  asset_type:Endpoint
  confidence:80
  impact:80
  message:A PowerShell Cmdlet related to disable or modifying a IIS HTTP logging has occurred on $Computer$.
  mitre_attack_id:
    - 'T1562'
    - 'T1562.002'
    - 'T1505'
    - 'T1505.004'
  observable:
    name:'Computer'
    type:'Hostname'
    - role:
      - 'Victim'
  product:
    - 'Splunk Enterprise'
    - 'Splunk Enterprise Security'
    - 'Splunk Cloud'
  required_fields:
    - '_time'
    - 'ScriptBlockText'
    - 'Computer'
    - 'EventCode'
  risk_score:64
  security_domain:endpoint

tests:
name:'True Positive Test'
 attack_data:
  data: https://media.githubusercontent.com/media/splunk/attack_data/master/datasets/attack_techniques/T1505.004/4104_disable_http_logging_windows-powershell.log
  source: XmlWinEventLog:Microsoft-Windows-PowerShell/Operational
  sourcetype: XmlWinEventLog
  update_timestamp: True
manual_test:None