Sigma Rule Library

Suspicious IIS URL GlobalRules Rewrite Via AppCmd

Detects usage of "appcmd" to create new global URL rewrite rules. This behaviour has been observed being used by threat actors to add new rules so they can access their webshells.

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Detection logic

selection_img

- Image|endswith: \appcmd.exe
- OriginalFileName: appcmd.exe

selection_cli

CommandLine|contains|all:
  - set
  - config
  - section:system.webServer/rewrite/globalRules
  - "commit:"

Condition

all of selection_*

Raw YAML

title: Suspicious IIS URL GlobalRules Rewrite Via AppCmd
id: 7c8af9b2-dcae-41a2-a9db-b28c288b5f08
status: test
description: Detects usage of "appcmd" to create new global URL rewrite rules. This behaviour has been observed being used by threat actors to add new rules so they can access their webshells.
references:
    - https://twitter.com/malmoeb/status/1616702107242971144
    - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/739120/how-to-add-re-write-global-rule-with-action-type-r
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
date: 2023-01-22
tags:
    - attack.stealth
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_img:
        - Image|endswith: '\appcmd.exe'
        - OriginalFileName: 'appcmd.exe'
    selection_cli:
        CommandLine|contains|all:
            - 'set'
            - 'config'
            - 'section:system.webServer/rewrite/globalRules'
            - 'commit:'
    condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
    - Legitimate usage of appcmd to add new URL rewrite rules
level: medium

False positives

  • Legitimate usage of appcmd to add new URL rewrite rules

References

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