Potential AutoLogger Sessions Tampering

Description

Detects tampering with autologger trace sessions which is a technique used by attackers to disable logging. The AutoLogger event tracing session records events up that occur early in the operating system boot process. Applications and device drivers can use the AutoLogger session to capture traces before the user logs in, and also used by security solutions as telemetry source. Adversaries may disable these sessions to evade detection and prevent security monitoring of early boot activities and system events.

Query · sigma

selection_main:
  TargetObject|contains: \Control\WMI\Autologger\
selection_values:
  TargetObject|contains:
  - \EventLog-
  - \Defender
  TargetObject|endswith:
  - \Enabled
  - \Start
  Details: DWORD (0x00000000)
filter_main_wevtutil:
  Image: C:\Windows\system32\wevtutil.exe
filter_main_defender:
  Image|startswith:
  - C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Platform\
  - C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\
  - C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Defender\
  Image|endswith: \MsMpEng.exe
  TargetObject|contains:
  - \DefenderApiLogger\
  - \DefenderAuditLogger\
condition: all of selection_* and not 1 of filter_main_*

Known false positives

  • Unknown
Raw source Potential AutoLogger Sessions Tampering · Sigma
Esc
Published by SigmaHQ/sigma ↗, licensed under Detection Rule License 1.1 ↗. Reproduced here unmodified. 
title: Potential AutoLogger Sessions Tampering
id: f37b4bce-49d0-4087-9f5b-58bffda77316
related:
    - id: d7b81144-b866-48a4-9bcc-275dc69d870e
      type: similar
status: test
description: |
    Detects tampering with autologger trace sessions which is a technique used by attackers to disable logging.
    The AutoLogger event tracing session records events up that occur early in the operating system boot process.
    Applications and device drivers can use the AutoLogger session to capture traces before the user logs in, and also used by security solutions as telemetry source.
    Adversaries may disable these sessions to evade detection and prevent security monitoring of early boot activities and system events.
references:
    - https://twitter.com/MichalKoczwara/status/1553634816016498688
    - https://thedfirreport.com/2021/10/18/icedid-to-xinglocker-ransomware-in-24-hours/
    - https://i.blackhat.com/EU-21/Wednesday/EU-21-Teodorescu-Veni-No-Vidi-No-Vici-Attacks-On-ETW-Blind-EDRs.pdf
    - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/etw/configuring-and-starting-an-autologger-session
    - https://blog.palantir.com/tampering-with-windows-event-tracing-background-offense-and-defense-4be7ac62ac63
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
date: 2022-08-01
modified: 2025-12-26
tags:
    - attack.defense-impairment
    - attack.t1685.001
logsource:
    category: registry_set
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_main:
        TargetObject|contains: '\Control\WMI\Autologger\'
    selection_values:
        TargetObject|contains: # We only care about some autologger to avoid FP. Add more if you need
            - '\EventLog-'
            - '\Defender'
        TargetObject|endswith:
            - '\Enabled'
            - '\Start'
        Details: DWORD (0x00000000)
    filter_main_wevtutil:
        Image: 'C:\Windows\system32\wevtutil.exe'
    filter_main_defender:
        Image|startswith:
            - 'C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Platform\'
            - 'C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\'
            - 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Defender\'
        Image|endswith: '\MsMpEng.exe'
        TargetObject|contains:
            - '\DefenderApiLogger\'
            - '\DefenderAuditLogger\'
    condition: all of selection_* and not 1 of filter_main_*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: high
regression_tests_path: regression_data/rules/windows/registry/registry_set/registry_set_disable_autologger_sessions/info.yml
simulation:
    - type: atomic-red-team
      name: Disable EventLog-Application Auto Logger Session Via Registry - Cmd
      technique: T1562.001
      atomic_guid: 653c6e17-14a2-4849-851d-f1c0cc8ea9ab
    - type: atomic-red-team
      name: Disable EventLog-Application Auto Logger Session Via Registry - PowerShell
      technique: T1562.001
      atomic_guid: da86f239-9bd3-4e85-92ed-4a94ef111a1c
    - type: atomic-red-team
      name: Disable EventLog-Application ETW Provider Via Registry - Cmd
      technique: T1562.001
      atomic_guid: 1cac9b54-810e-495c-8aac-989e0076583b
    - type: atomic-red-team
      name: Disable EventLog-Application ETW Provider Via Registry - PowerShell
      technique: T1562.001
      atomic_guid: 8f907648-1ebf-4276-b0f0-e2678ca474f0

Detection rules belong to the projects that publish them and remain under their own licenses. This site indexes and links to them; it claims no rights in them.