Elastic Security Detection Rules

Unusual DNS Activity

Last updated 7 months ago on 2025-01-15
Created 5 years ago on 2020-03-25

About

A machine learning job detected a rare and unusual DNS query that indicate network activity with unusual DNS domains. This can be due to initial access, persistence, command-and-control, or exfiltration activity. For example, when a user clicks on a link in a phishing email or opens a malicious document, a request may be sent to download and run a payload from an uncommon domain. When malware is already running, it may send requests to an uncommon DNS domain the malware uses for command-and-control communication.
Tags
Use Case: Threat DetectionRule Type: MLRule Type: Machine LearningTactic: Command and Control
Severity
low
Risk Score
21
MITRE ATT&CK™

Command and Control (TA0011)(opens in a new tab or window)

↳ Application Layer Protocol (T1071)(opens in a new tab or window)

False Positive Examples
A newly installed program or one that runs rarely as part of a monthly or quarterly workflow could trigger this alert. Network activity that occurs rarely, in small quantities, can trigger this alert. Possible examples are browsing technical support or vendor networks sparsely. A user who visits a new or unique web destination may trigger this alert.
License
Elastic License v2(opens in a new tab or window)

Definition

Rule Type
Machine Learning
Integration Pack
Prebuilt Security Detection Rules
Related Integrations

endpoint(opens in a new tab or window)

network_traffic(opens in a new tab or window)

Query

Install detection rules in Elastic Security

Detect Unusual DNS Activity 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).