Sigma rule: IIS Native-Code Module Command Line Installation

Rule

Title

IIS Native-Code Module Command Line Installation

Status

test

Level

medium

Author

Florian Roth (Nextron Systems)

Date

2019-12-11

Modified

2024-03-13

File

rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_iis_appcmd_susp_module_install.yml

Commit

ccbb0369507f796db0b0ae6854c8a2be471b9d84

Detects suspicious IIS native-code module installations via command line

Log source

product

windows

category

process_creation

Detection

selection_img:
    - Image|endswith: '\appcmd.exe'
    - OriginalFileName: 'appcmd.exe'
selection_cli:
    CommandLine|contains|all:
        - 'install'
        - 'module'
    CommandLine|contains|windash: '-name:'
filter_iis_setup:
    ParentImage: 'C:\Windows\System32\inetsrv\iissetup.exe'
condition: all of selection_* and not 1 of filter_*

False positives (as the rule lists them)

• Unknown as it may vary from organisation to organisation how admins use to install IIS modules

Tags

• attack.persistence
• attack.t1505.003

MITRE ATT&CK ids this rule names

• T1505.003

References

• https://researchcenter.paloaltonetworks.com/2018/01/unit42-oilrig-uses-rgdoor-iis-backdoor-targets-middle-east/
• https://www.microsoft.com/security/blog/2022/07/26/malicious-iis-extensions-quietly-open-persistent-backdoors-into-servers/

Read on 2026-11-03T00:58:21.399Z under licence sigma-drl-1.1@d5f4c36a from https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/ccbb0369507f796db0b0ae6854c8a2be471b9d84/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_iis_appcmd_susp_module_install.yml