sigmahighHunting

Windows EventLog Autologger Session Registry Modification Via CommandLine

Detects attempts to disable Windows EventLog autologger sessions via registry modification. The AutoLogger event tracing session records events 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. Adversaries may disable these sessions to evade detection and prevent security monitoring of early boot activities and system events.

MITRE ATT&CK

T1685.001

Detection Query

selection_img:
  - Image|endswith:
      - \reg.exe
      - \powershell.exe
      - \pwsh.exe
  - OriginalFileName:
      - reg.exe
      - PowerShell.EXE
      - pwsh.dll
selection_cli_action:
  CommandLine|contains:
    - "add "
    - Set-ItemProperty
    - New-ItemProperty
    - "si "
selection_cli_base:
  CommandLine|contains: \Control\WMI\Autologger\
selection_cli_key:
  CommandLine|contains:
    - Start
    - Enabled
condition: all of selection_*

Author

Swachchhanda Shrawan Poudel (Nextron Systems)

Created

2025-12-25

Data Sources

windowsProcess Creation Events

Platforms

windows

References

Tags

attack.defense-impairmentattack.t1685.001

Raw Content

title: Windows EventLog Autologger Session Registry Modification Via CommandLine
id: d7b81144-b866-48a4-9bcc-275dc69d870e
related:
    - id: f37b4bce-49d0-4087-9f5b-58bffda77316
      type: similar
status: experimental
description: |
    Detects attempts to disable Windows EventLog autologger sessions via registry modification.
    The AutoLogger event tracing session records events 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.
    Adversaries may disable these sessions to evade detection and prevent security monitoring of early boot activities and system events.
references:
    - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/etw/configuring-and-starting-an-autologger-session
    - https://ptylu.github.io/content/report/report.html?report=25
    - https://blog.palantir.com/tampering-with-windows-event-tracing-background-offense-and-defense-4be7ac62ac63
author: Swachchhanda Shrawan Poudel (Nextron Systems)
date: 2025-12-25
tags:
    - attack.defense-impairment
    - attack.t1685.001
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_img:
        - Image|endswith:
              - '\reg.exe'
              - '\powershell.exe'
              - '\pwsh.exe'
        - OriginalFileName:
              - 'reg.exe'
              - 'PowerShell.EXE'
              - 'pwsh.dll'
    selection_cli_action:
        CommandLine|contains:
            - 'add '
            - 'Set-ItemProperty'
            - 'New-ItemProperty'
            - 'si ' # Set-ItemProperty alias
    selection_cli_base:
        CommandLine|contains: '\Control\WMI\Autologger\'
    selection_cli_key:
        CommandLine|contains:
            - 'Start' # Key used to disable specific autologger session like EventLog-Application, EventLog-System etc.
            - 'Enabled' # Key used to disable specific provider of autologger session
    condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: high
regression_tests_path: regression_data/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_autologger_session_registry_modification/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