Unusual ADConnect database file access

Cortex XDR Analytics Alert Reference by data source

Product
Cortex XDR
Last date published
2024-12-03
Category
Analytics Alert Reference
Order
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

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.