Unusual ADConnect database file access

Cortex XDR Analytics Alert Reference by Alert name

Product

Cortex XDR

Last date published

2024-10-08

Synopsis

Activation Period	14 Days
Training Period	30 Days
Test Period	N/A (single event)
Deduplication Period	1 Day
Required Data	Requires: XDR Agent with eXtended Threat Hunting (XTH)
Detection Modules
Detector Tags
ATT&CK Tactic	Credential Access (TA0006)
ATT&CK Technique	Unsecured Credentials (T1552)
Severity	Informational

Description

An unusual process accessed the ADConnect database files.

Attacker's Goals

Attackers can abuse the Azure AD Connect database files to get access to the AD Sync account.
The AD Sync account is a highly privileged account that can perform a DCSync and get access to on-premise password hashes.

Investigative actions

See whether this was a legitimate action.
Follow process/user/host activities.
Follow unusual actions of the AD Sync user.
Check for unusual Azure AD authentications.
Check for a possible DCSync.

Variations

Suspicious access to ADConnect database file

Synopsis

ATT&CK Tactic	Credential Access (TA0006)
ATT&CK Technique	Unsecured Credentials (T1552)
Severity	Medium

Description

An unusual process accessed the ADConnect database files with some suspicious characteristics that flagged this access attempt as a suspicious.

Attacker's Goals

Attackers can abuse the Azure AD Connect database files to get access to the AD Sync account.
The AD Sync account is a highly privileged account that can perform a DCSync and get access to on-premise password hashes.

Investigative actions

See whether this was a legitimate action.
Follow process/user/host activities.
Follow unusual actions of the AD Sync user.
Check for unusual Azure AD authentications.
Check for a possible DCSync.

Access to ADConnect database file by an unsigned or unusual process

Synopsis

ATT&CK Tactic	Credential Access (TA0006)
ATT&CK Technique	Unsecured Credentials (T1552)
Severity	Low

Description

An unusual process accessed the ADConnect database files with some suspicious characteristics that flagged this access attempt as a suspicious access.

Attacker's Goals

Attackers can abuse the Azure AD Connect database files to get access to the AD Sync account.
The AD Sync account is a highly privileged account that can perform a DCSync and get access to on-premise password hashes.

Investigative actions

See whether this was a legitimate action.
Follow process/user/host activities.
Follow unusual actions of the AD Sync user.
Check for unusual Azure AD authentications.
Check for a possible DCSync.