Unusual AWS Command for a User

Last updated a month ago on 2025-11-18

Created 5 years ago on 2020-07-13

About

A machine learning job detected an AWS API command that, while not inherently suspicious or abnormal, is being made by a user context that does not normally use the command. This can be the result of compromised credentials or keys as someone uses a valid account to persist, move laterally, or exfiltrate data.

Tags

Domain: CloudData Source: AWSData Source: Amazon Web ServicesRule Type: MLRule Type: Machine Learning

Severity

low

Risk Score

MITRE ATT&CK™

Initial Access (TA0001)(external, opens in a new tab or window)

↳ Valid Accounts (T1078)(external, opens in a new tab or window)

Lateral Movement (TA0008)(external, opens in a new tab or window)

↳ Remote Services (T1021)(external, opens in a new tab or window)

Persistence (TA0003)(external, opens in a new tab or window)

Exfiltration (TA0010)(external, opens in a new tab or window)

↳ Exfiltration Over C2 Channel (T1041)(external, opens in a new tab or window)

False Positive Examples

New or unusual user command activity can be due to manual troubleshooting or reconfiguration; changes in cloud automation scripts or workflows; adoption of new services; or changes in the way services are used.

License

Elastic License v2(external, opens in a new tab or window)

Definition

Rule Type: Machine Learning
Integration Pack: Prebuilt Security Detection Rules
Related Integrations: aws(external, opens in a new tab or window)
Query

✄𐘗text code block:
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Install detection rules in Elastic Security

Detect Unusual AWS Command for a User 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(external, opens in a new tab or window).