Elastic Security Detection Rules

Potential Shadow Credentials added to AD Object

Last updated 9 days ago on 2025-01-22
Created 3 years ago on 2022-01-26

About

Identify the modification of the msDS-KeyCredentialLink attribute in an Active Directory Computer or User Object. Attackers can abuse control over the object and create a key pair, append to raw public key in the attribute, and obtain persistent and stealthy access to the target user or computer object.
Tags
Domain: EndpointOS: WindowsUse Case: Threat DetectionTactic: Credential AccessData Source: Active DirectoryUse Case: Active Directory MonitoringData Source: SystemLanguage: kuery
Severity
high
Risk Score
73
MITRE ATT&CK™

Credential Access (TA0006)(opens in a new tab or window)

↳ Modify Authentication Process (T1556)(opens in a new tab or window)

False Positive Examples
Modifications in the msDS-KeyCredentialLink attribute can be done legitimately by the Azure AD Connect synchronization account or the ADFS service account. These accounts can be added as Exceptions.
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
winlogbeat-*logs-system.*logs-windows.*
Related Integrations

system(opens in a new tab or window)

windows(opens in a new tab or window)

Query
event.code:"5136" and winlog.event_data.AttributeLDAPDisplayName:"msDS-KeyCredentialLink" and
  winlog.event_data.AttributeValue :B\:828* and
  not winlog.event_data.SubjectUserName: MSOL_*

Install detection rules in Elastic Security

Detect Potential Shadow Credentials added to AD Object 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).