Unusual AWS S3 objects deletion

Cortex XDR Analytics Alert Reference by Alert name

Product
Cortex XDR
Last date published
2026-03-15
Category
Analytics Alert Reference
Index by
Alert name

Synopsis

Activation Period

14 Days

Training Period

30 Days

Test Period

1 Hour

Deduplication Period

5 Days

Required Data

  • Requires:
    • AWS Audit Log

Detection Modules

Cloud

Detector Tags

ATT&CK Tactic

Impact (TA0040)

ATT&CK Technique

Severity

Informational

Description

An identity deleted multiple S3 bucket objects from the project, considerably more than usual.

Attacker's Goals

  • Adversaries may delete data to prevent the recovery of a corrupted system.
  • They may also aim to interrupt availability to resources.

Investigative actions

  • Identify the deleted objects and their containing bucket.
  • Investigate the identity that performed the deletion and review recent related activity.

Variations

A non administrative identity deleted multiple S3 objects from a project

Synopsis

ATT&CK Tactic

Impact (TA0040)

ATT&CK Technique

Severity

Low

Description

An identity deleted multiple S3 bucket objects from the project, considerably more than usual.

Attacker's Goals

  • Adversaries may delete data to prevent the recovery of a corrupted system.
  • They may also aim to interrupt availability to resources.

Investigative actions

  • Identify the deleted objects and their containing bucket.
  • Investigate the identity that performed the deletion and review recent related activity.


An identity permanently deleted multiple S3 objects from a project

Synopsis

ATT&CK Tactic

Impact (TA0040)

ATT&CK Technique

Severity

Medium

Description

An identity deleted multiple S3 bucket objects from the project, considerably more than usual.

Attacker's Goals

  • Adversaries may delete data to prevent the recovery of a corrupted system.
  • They may also aim to interrupt availability to resources.

Investigative actions

  • Identify the deleted objects and their containing bucket.
  • Investigate the identity that performed the deletion and review recent related activity.