NTDS.dit file written by an uncommon executable

Cortex XDR Analytics Alert Reference by data source

Product
Cortex XDR
Last date published
2025-02-14
Category
Analytics Alert Reference
Index by
data source

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

Severity

Low

Description

The Active Directory database file was written by an uncommon process to a non-default location.

Attacker's Goals

Dump the sensitive contents of the database to masquerade as legitimate domain users.

Investigative actions

  • Investigate the nature of the process writing the sensitive file - is it a standard backup procedure?
  • Check the path the file was written to - is it local? Are there other relevant artifacts in this location?

Variations

NTDS.dit file written by a rare executable

Synopsis

ATT&CK Tactic

Credential Access (TA0006)

ATT&CK Technique

Severity

Medium

Description

The Active Directory database file was written by a rare process to a non-default location.

Attacker's Goals

Dump the sensitive contents of the database to masquerade as legitimate domain users.

Investigative actions

  • Investigate the nature of the process writing the sensitive file - is it a standard backup procedure?
  • Check the path the file was written to - is it local? Are there other relevant artifacts in this location?