IIS WebServer Log Deletion via CommandLine Utilities

Detects attempts to delete Internet Information Services (IIS) log files via command line utilities, which is a common defense evasion technique used by attackers to cover their tracks. Threat actors often abuse vulnerabilities in web applications hosted on IIS servers to gain initial access and later delete IIS logs to evade detection.

title: IIS WebServer Log Deletion via CommandLine Utilities
id: 0649be4a-aeb0-45b0-b89e-7f1668f6d9c0
related:
    - id: 3eb8c339-a765-48cc-a150-4364c04652bf
      type: similar
status: experimental
description: |
    Detects attempts to delete Internet Information Services (IIS) log files via command line utilities, which is a common defense evasion technique used by attackers to cover their tracks.
    Threat actors often abuse vulnerabilities in web applications hosted on IIS servers to gain initial access and later delete IIS logs to evade detection.
references:
    - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/iis/manage/provisioning-and-managing-iis/managing-iis-log-file-storage
author: Swachchhanda Shrawan Poudel (Nextron Systems)
date: 2025-09-02
tags:
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1070
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_img:
        - Image|endswith:
              - '\cmd.exe'
              - '\powershell_ise.exe'
              - '\powershell.exe'
              - '\pwsh.exe'
        - OriginalFileName:
              - 'cmd.exe'
              - 'powershell.exe'
              - 'powershell_ise.exe'
              - 'pwsh.dll'
    selection_cli_del:
        CommandLine|contains:
            - 'del '
            - 'erase '
            - 'rm '
            - 'remove-item '
            - 'rmdir '
    selection_cli_iis_dir:
        CommandLine|contains: '\inetpub\logs\'
    condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
    - Deletion of IIS logs that are older than a certain retention period as part of regular maintenance activities.
    - Legitimate schedule tasks or scripts that clean up log files regularly.
    # More Fp cases
    # https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/iis/manage/provisioning-and-managing-iis/managing-iis-log-file-storage#02
level: medium

• T1070Indicator Removal

• https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/iis/manage/provisioning-and-managing-iis/managing-iis-log-file-storage↗