Elastic Security Detection Rules

Azure Command Execution on Virtual Machine

Last updated 3 days ago on 2025-09-30
Created 5 years ago on 2020-08-17

About

Identifies command execution on a virtual machine (VM) in Azure. A Virtual Machine Contributor role lets you manage virtual machines, but not access them, nor access the virtual network or storage account they’re connected to. However, commands can be run via PowerShell on the VM, which execute as System. Other roles, such as certain Administrator roles may be able to execute commands on a VM as well.
Tags
Domain: CloudData Source: AzureUse Case: Log AuditingTactic: ExecutionLanguage: kuery
Severity
medium
Risk Score
47
MITRE ATT&CK™

Execution (TA0002)(opens in a new tab or window)

↳ Cloud Administration Command (T1651)(opens in a new tab or window)

False Positive Examples
Command execution on a virtual machine may be done by a system or network administrator. Verify whether the username, hostname, and/or resource name should be making changes in your environment. Command execution from unfamiliar users or hosts should be investigated. If known behavior is causing false positives, it can be exempted from the rule.
License
Elastic License v2(opens in a new tab or window)

Definition

Rule Type
Query (Kibana Query Language)
Integration Pack
Prebuilt Security Detection Rules
Index Patterns
logs-azure.activitylogs-*filebeat-*
Related Integrations

azure(opens in a new tab or window)

Query
event.dataset:azure.activitylogs and azure.activitylogs.operation_name:"MICROSOFT.COMPUTE/VIRTUALMACHINES/RUNCOMMAND/ACTION" and event.outcome:(Success or success)

Install detection rules in Elastic Security

Detect Azure Command Execution on Virtual Machine in the Elastic Security detection engine by installing this rule into your Elastic Stack.

To setup this rule, check out the installation guide for Prebuilt Security Detection Rules(opens in a new tab or window).