EXPLORE DETECTIONS
Windows Access Token Manipulation SeDebugPrivilege
The following analytic detects a process enabling the "SeDebugPrivilege" privilege token. It leverages Windows Security Event Logs with EventCode 4703, filtering out common legitimate processes. This activity is significant because SeDebugPrivilege allows a process to inspect and modify the memory of other processes, potentially leading to credential dumping or code injection. If confirmed malicious, an attacker could gain extensive control over system processes, enabling them to escalate privileges, persist in the environment, or access sensitive information.
Windows Access Token Manipulation Winlogon Duplicate Token Handle
The following analytic detects a process attempting to access winlogon.exe to duplicate its handle. This is identified using Sysmon EventCode 10, focusing on processes targeting winlogon.exe with specific access rights. This activity is significant because it is a common technique used by adversaries to escalate privileges by leveraging the high privileges and security tokens associated with winlogon.exe. If confirmed malicious, this could allow an attacker to gain elevated privileges, potentially leading to full system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive information.
Windows Access Token Winlogon Duplicate Handle In Uncommon Path
The following analytic detects a process attempting to duplicate the handle of winlogon.exe from an uncommon or public source path. This is identified using Sysmon EventCode 10, focusing on processes targeting winlogon.exe with specific access rights and excluding common system paths. This activity is significant because it may indicate an adversary trying to escalate privileges by leveraging the high-privilege tokens associated with winlogon.exe. If confirmed malicious, this could allow the attacker to gain elevated access, potentially leading to full system compromise and persistent control over the affected host.
Windows Account Access Removal via Logoff Exec
The following analytic detects the process of logging off a user through the use of the quser and logoff commands. By monitoring for these commands, the analytic identifies actions where a user session is forcibly terminated, which could be part of an administrative task or a potentially unauthorized access attempt. This detection helps identify potential misuse or malicious activity where a user’s access is revoked without proper authorization, providing insight into potential security incidents involving account management or session manipulation.
Windows Account Discovery for None Disable User Account
The following analytic detects the execution of the PowerView PowerShell cmdlet Get-NetUser with the UACFilter parameter set to NOT_ACCOUNTDISABLE, indicating an attempt to enumerate Active Directory user accounts that are not disabled. This detection leverages PowerShell Script Block Logging (EventCode 4104) to identify the specific script block text. Monitoring this activity is significant as it may indicate reconnaissance efforts by an attacker to identify active user accounts for further exploitation. If confirmed malicious, this activity could lead to unauthorized access, privilege escalation, or lateral movement within the network.
Windows Account Discovery for Sam Account Name
The following analytic detects the execution of the PowerView PowerShell cmdlet Get-NetUser, specifically querying for "samaccountname" and "pwdlastset" attributes. It leverages Event ID 4104 from PowerShell Script Block Logging to identify this activity. This behavior is significant as it may indicate an attempt to gather user account information from Active Directory, which is a common reconnaissance step in lateral movement or privilege escalation attacks. If confirmed malicious, this activity could allow an attacker to map out user accounts, potentially leading to further exploitation and unauthorized access within the network.
Windows Account Discovery With NetUser PreauthNotRequire
The following analytic detects the execution of the PowerView PowerShell cmdlet Get-NetUser with the -PreauthNotRequire parameter, leveraging Event ID 4104. This method identifies attempts to query Active Directory user accounts that do not require Kerberos preauthentication. Monitoring this activity is crucial as it can indicate reconnaissance efforts by an attacker to identify potentially vulnerable accounts. If confirmed malicious, this behavior could lead to further exploitation, such as unauthorized access or privilege escalation within the network.
Windows AD Abnormal Object Access Activity
The following analytic identifies a statistically significant increase in access to Active Directory objects, which may indicate attacker enumeration. It leverages Windows Security Event Code 4662 to monitor and analyze access patterns, comparing them against historical averages to detect anomalies. This activity is significant for a SOC because abnormal access to AD objects can be an early indicator of reconnaissance efforts by an attacker. If confirmed malicious, this behavior could lead to unauthorized access, privilege escalation, or further compromise of the Active Directory environment.
Windows AD add Self to Group
This analytic detects instances where a user adds themselves to an Active Directory (AD) group. This activity is a common indicator of privilege escalation, where a user attempts to gain unauthorized access to higher privileges or sensitive resources. By monitoring AD logs, this detection identifies such suspicious behavior, which could be part of a larger attack strategy aimed at compromising critical systems and data.
Windows AD AdminSDHolder ACL Modified
The following analytic detects modifications to the Access Control List (ACL) of the AdminSDHolder object in a Windows domain, specifically the addition of new rules. It leverages EventCode 5136 from the Security Event Log, focusing on changes to the nTSecurityDescriptor attribute. This activity is significant because the AdminSDHolder object secures privileged group members, and unauthorized changes can allow attackers to establish persistence and escalate privileges. If confirmed malicious, this could enable an attacker to control domain-level permissions, compromising the entire Active Directory environment.
Windows AD Cross Domain SID History Addition
The following analytic detects changes to the sIDHistory attribute of user or computer objects across different domains. It leverages Windows Security Event Codes 4738 and 4742 to identify when the sIDHistory attribute is modified. This activity is significant because the sIDHistory attribute allows users to inherit permissions from other AD accounts, which can be exploited by adversaries for inter-domain privilege escalation and persistence. If confirmed malicious, this could enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to resources, maintain persistence, and escalate privileges across domain boundaries.
Windows AD Dangerous Deny ACL Modification
This detection identifies an Active Directory access-control list (ACL) modification event, which applies permissions that deny the ability to enumerate permissions of the object.
Windows AD Dangerous Group ACL Modification
This detection monitors the addition of the following ACLs to an Active Directory group object: "Full control", "All extended rights", "All validated writes", "Create all child objects", "Delete all child objects", "Delete subtree", "Delete", "Modify permissions", "Modify owner", and "Write all properties". Such modifications can indicate potential privilege escalation or malicious activity. Immediate investigation is recommended upon alert.
Windows AD Dangerous User ACL Modification
This detection monitors the addition of the following ACLs to an Active Directory user object: "Full control","All extended rights","All validated writes", "Create all child objects","Delete all child objects","Delete subtree","Delete","Modify permissions","Modify owner","Write all properties". Such modifications can indicate potential privilege escalation or malicious activity. Immediate investigation is recommended upon alert.
Windows AD DCShadow Privileges ACL Addition
This detection identifies an Active Directory access-control list (ACL) modification event, which applies the minimum required extended rights to perform the DCShadow attack.
Windows AD Domain Controller Audit Policy Disabled
The following analytic detects the disabling of audit policies on a domain controller. It leverages EventCode 4719 from Windows Security Event Logs to identify changes where success or failure auditing is removed. This activity is significant as it suggests an attacker may have gained access to the domain controller and is attempting to evade detection by tampering with audit policies. If confirmed malicious, this could lead to severe consequences, including data theft, privilege escalation, and full network compromise. Immediate investigation is required to determine the source and intent of the change.
Windows AD Domain Controller Promotion
The following analytic identifies a genuine Domain Controller (DC) promotion event by detecting when a computer assigns itself the necessary Service Principal Names (SPNs) to function as a domain controller. It leverages Windows Security Event Code 4742 to monitor existing domain controllers for these changes. This activity is significant as it can help identify rogue DCs added to the network, which could indicate a DCShadow attack. If confirmed malicious, this could allow an attacker to manipulate Active Directory, leading to potential privilege escalation and persistent access within the environment.
Windows AD Domain Replication ACL Addition
The following analytic detects the addition of permissions required for a DCSync attack, specifically DS-Replication-Get-Changes, DS-Replication-Get-Changes-All, and DS-Replication-Get-Changes-In-Filtered-Set. It leverages EventCode 5136 from the Windows Security Event Log to identify when these permissions are granted. This activity is significant because it indicates potential preparation for a DCSync attack, which can be used to replicate AD objects and exfiltrate sensitive data. If confirmed malicious, an attacker could gain extensive access to Active Directory, leading to severe data breaches and privilege escalation.
Windows AD Domain Root ACL Deletion
ACL deletion performed on the domain root object, significant AD change with high impact. Following MS guidance all changes at this level should be reviewed. Drill into the logonID within EventCode 4624 for information on the source device during triage.
Windows AD Domain Root ACL Modification
ACL modification performed on the domain root object, significant AD change with high impact. Following MS guidance all changes at this level should be reviewed. Drill into the logonID within EventCode 4624 for information on the source device during triage.
Windows AD DSRM Account Changes
The following analytic identifies changes to the Directory Services Restore Mode (DSRM) account behavior via registry modifications. It detects alterations in the registry path "*\\System\\CurrentControlSet\\Control\\Lsa\\DSRMAdminLogonBehavior" with specific values indicating potential misuse. This activity is significant because the DSRM account, if misconfigured, can be exploited to persist within a domain, similar to a local administrator account. If confirmed malicious, an attacker could gain persistent administrative access to a Domain Controller, leading to potential domain-wide compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive information.
Windows AD DSRM Password Reset
The following analytic detects attempts to reset the Directory Services Restore Mode (DSRM) administrator password on a Domain Controller. It leverages event code 4794 from the Windows Security Event Log, specifically looking for events where the DSRM password reset is attempted. This activity is significant because the DSRM account can be used similarly to a local administrator account, providing potential persistence for an attacker. If confirmed malicious, this could allow an attacker to maintain administrative access to the Domain Controller, posing a severe risk to the domain's security.
Windows AD GPO Deleted
This detection identifies when an Active Directory Group Policy is deleted using the Group Policy Management Console.
Windows AD GPO Disabled
This detection identifies when an Active Directory Group Policy is disabled using the Group Policy Management Console.