Invalid SAML Detected

Cortex XDR Analytics Alert Reference by Alert name

Product
Cortex XDR
Last date published
2026-05-10
Category
Analytics Alert Reference
Index by
Alert name

Synopsis

Activation Period

14 Days

Training Period

30 Days

Test Period

N/A (single event)

Deduplication Period

1 Day

Required Data

  • Requires:
    • AzureAD
  • Requires:
    • Okta

Detection Modules

Identity Threat Module

Detector Tags

Active Directory Federation Services Analytics

ATT&CK Tactic

Credential Access (TA0006)

ATT&CK Technique

Forge Web Credentials: SAML Tokens (T1606.002)

Severity

Informational

Description

A user attempted to sign in using an invalid SAML. This might indicate a Golden SAML attack.

Attacker's Goals

An attacker might forge a valid SAML token to impersonate other user accounts. This is used to gain persistent, unauthorized access to cloud resources, and bypassing MFA.

Investigative actions

  • Check for recent changes to the SAML signing certificate on both the Identity Provider and the Service Provider to rule out a configuration drift or expiration issue.
  • Check for other correlated alerts on on-premises systems that may be related to the Golden SAML attack.
  • Look for signs that the user account is compromised (e.g. abnormal logins, unusual activity).

Variations

Suspicious Invalid SAML Detected

Synopsis

ATT&CK Tactic

Credential Access (TA0006)

ATT&CK Technique

Forge Web Credentials: SAML Tokens (T1606.002)

Severity

Low

Description

A user attempted to sign in using an invalid SAML. This might indicate a Golden SAML attack.

Attacker's Goals

An attacker might forge a valid SAML token to impersonate other user accounts. This is used to gain persistent, unauthorized access to cloud resources, and bypassing MFA.

Investigative actions

  • Check for recent changes to the SAML signing certificate on both the Identity Provider and the Service Provider to rule out a configuration drift or expiration issue.
  • Check for other correlated alerts on on-premises systems that may be related to the Golden SAML attack.
  • Look for signs that the user account is compromised (e.g. abnormal logins, unusual activity).