LoFP LoFP / vulnerability scanners or system administration tools may also trigger this detection. filter as needed.

Techniques

Sample rules

Windows Special Privileged Logon On Multiple Hosts

Description

The following analytic detects a user authenticating with special privileges on 30 or more remote endpoints within a 5-minute window. It leverages Event ID 4672 from Windows Security logs to identify this behavior. This activity is significant as it may indicate lateral movement or remote code execution by an adversary. If confirmed malicious, the attacker could gain extensive control over the network, potentially leading to privilege escalation, data exfiltration, or further compromise of the environment. Security teams should adjust detection thresholds based on their specific environment.

Detection logic

`wineventlog_security` EventCode=4672 AND NOT(Caller_User_Name IN ("DWM-1","DWM-2","DWM-3","LOCAL SERVICE","NETWORK SERVICE","SYSTEM","*$")) 
| bucket span=5m _time 
| stats dc(Computer) AS unique_targets values(Computer) as dest values(PrivilegeList) as privileges by _time, Caller_User_Name 
| rename Caller_User_Name as user
| where unique_targets > 30 
| `windows_special_privileged_logon_on_multiple_hosts_filter`

Windows Local Administrator Credential Stuffing

Description

The following analytic detects attempts to authenticate using the built-in local Administrator account across more than 30 endpoints within a 5-minute window. It leverages Windows Event Logs, specifically events 4625 and 4624, to identify this behavior. This activity is significant as it may indicate an adversary attempting to validate stolen local credentials across multiple hosts, potentially leading to privilege escalation. If confirmed malicious, this could allow the attacker to gain widespread access and control over numerous systems within the network, posing a severe security risk.

Detection logic

`wineventlog_security` EventCode=4625 OR EventCode=4624 Logon_Type=3 TargetUserName=Administrator 
| bucket span=5m _time 
| stats dc(Computer) AS unique_targets values(Computer) as host_targets by _time, IpAddress, TargetUserName, EventCode 
| where unique_targets > 30 
| `windows_local_administrator_credential_stuffing_filter`

Windows Rapid Authentication On Multiple Hosts

Description

The following analytic detects a source computer authenticating to 30 or more remote endpoints within a 5-minute timespan using Event ID 4624. This behavior is identified by analyzing Windows Event Logs for LogonType 3 events and counting unique target computers. Such activity is significant as it may indicate lateral movement or network share enumeration by an adversary. If confirmed malicious, this could lead to unauthorized access to multiple systems, potentially compromising sensitive data and escalating privileges within the network.

Detection logic

`wineventlog_security` EventCode=4624 LogonType=3 TargetUserName!="ANONYMOUS LOGON" TargetUserName!="*$" 
| bucket span=5m _time 
| stats dc(Computer) AS unique_targets values(Computer) as host_targets by _time, IpAddress, TargetUserName 
| where unique_targets > 30 
| `windows_rapid_authentication_on_multiple_hosts_filter`