Azure AD Privileged Graph API Permission Assigned

name: Azure AD Privileged Graph API Permission Assigned
id: 5521f8c5-1aa3-473c-9eb7-853701924a06
version: 9
date: '2026-03-10'
author: Mauricio Velazco, Splunk
status: production
type: TTP
data_source:
    - Azure Active Directory Update application
description: The following analytic detects the assignment of high-risk Graph API permissions in Azure AD, specifically Application.ReadWrite.All, AppRoleAssignment.ReadWrite.All, and RoleManagement.ReadWrite.Directory. It uses azure_monitor_aad data to scan AuditLogs for 'Update application' operations, identifying when these permissions are assigned. This activity is significant as it grants broad control over Azure AD, including application and directory settings. If confirmed malicious, it could lead to unauthorized modifications and potential security breaches, compromising the integrity and security of the Azure AD environment. Immediate investigation is required.
search: "`azure_monitor_aad` category=AuditLogs operationName=\"Update application\" | eval newvalue = mvindex('properties.targetResources{}.modifiedProperties{}.newValue',0) | spath input=newvalue | search \"{}.RequiredAppPermissions{}.EntitlementId\"=\" 1bfefb4e-e0b5-418b-a88f-73c46d2cc8e9\" OR \"{}.RequiredAppPermissions{}.EntitlementId\" =\"06b708a9-e830-4db3-a914-8e69da51d44f\" OR \"{}.RequiredAppPermissions{}.EntitlementId\" =\"9e3f62cf-ca93-4989-b6ce-bf83c28f9fe8\" | eval Permissions = '{}.RequiredAppPermissions{}.EntitlementId' | fillnull | stats count min(_time) as firstTime max(_time) as lastTime by dest user src vendor_account vendor_product Permissions signature | `security_content_ctime(firstTime)` | `security_content_ctime(lastTime)` | `azure_ad_privileged_graph_api_permission_assigned_filter`"
how_to_implement: You must install the latest version of Splunk Add-on for Microsoft Cloud Services from Splunkbase (https://splunkbase.splunk.com/app/3110/#/details). You must be ingesting Azure Active Directory events into your Splunk environment. This analytic was written to be used with the azure:monitor:aad sourcetype leveraging the AuditLog log category.
known_false_positives: Privileged Graph API permissions may be assigned for legitimate purposes. Filter as needed.
references:
    - https://cloudbrothers.info/en/azure-attack-paths/
    - https://github.com/mandiant/Mandiant-Azure-AD-Investigator/blob/master/MandiantAzureADInvestigator.json
    - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/graph/permissions-reference
    - https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/blog/2024/01/25/midnight-blizzard-guidance-for-responders-on-nation-state-attack/
    - https://posts.specterops.io/azure-privilege-escalation-via-azure-api-permissions-abuse-74aee1006f48
drilldown_searches:
    - name: View the detection results for - "$user$"
      search: '%original_detection_search% | search  user = "$user$"'
      earliest_offset: $info_min_time$
      latest_offset: $info_max_time$
    - name: View risk events for the last 7 days for - "$user$"
      search: '| from datamodel Risk.All_Risk | search normalized_risk_object IN ("$user$") starthoursago=168  | stats count min(_time) as firstTime max(_time) as lastTime values(search_name) as "Search Name" values(risk_message) as "Risk Message" values(analyticstories) as "Analytic Stories" values(annotations._all) as "Annotations" values(annotations.mitre_attack.mitre_tactic) as "ATT&CK Tactics" by normalized_risk_object | `security_content_ctime(firstTime)` | `security_content_ctime(lastTime)`'
      earliest_offset: $info_min_time$
      latest_offset: $info_max_time$
rba:
    message: User $user$ assigned privileged Graph API permissions to $Permissions$
    risk_objects:
        - field: user
          type: user
          score: 50
    threat_objects: []
tags:
    analytic_story:
        - Azure Active Directory Persistence
        - NOBELIUM Group
    asset_type: Azure Active Directory
    mitre_attack_id:
        - T1003.002
    product:
        - Splunk Enterprise
        - Splunk Enterprise Security
        - Splunk Cloud
    security_domain: identity
tests:
    - name: True Positive Test
      attack_data:
        - data: https://media.githubusercontent.com/media/splunk/attack_data/master/datasets/attack_techniques/T1098.003/azure_ad_privileged_graph_perm_assigned/azure_ad_privileged_graph_perm_assigned.log
          source: Azure AD
          sourcetype: azure:monitor:aad