---
title: FortiGate Administrator Account Creation from Unusual Source
description: This rule detects FortiGate administrator account creation from a source IP address not previously seen performing admin operations on the device. Threat...
url: https://www.elastic.co/docs/reference/security/prebuilt-rules/rules/network/persistence_fortigate_admin_creation_unusual_source
products:
  - Elastic Security
---

# FortiGate Administrator Account Creation from Unusual Source
This rule detects FortiGate administrator account creation from a source IP address not previously seen performing
admin operations on the device. Threat actors exploiting CVE-2026-24858 (FG-IR-26-060) authenticate via FortiCloud
SSO bypass and immediately create local administrator accounts for persistence, typically from infrastructure not
associated with normal administrative activity.
**Rule type**: new_terms
**Rule indices**:
- logs-fortinet_fortigate.*

**Rule Severity**: medium
**Risk Score**: 47
**Runs every**: 5m
**Searches indices from**: `now-9m`
**Maximum alerts per execution**: 100
**References**:
- [[https://www.fortiguard.com/psirt/FG-IR-26-060](https://www.fortiguard.com/psirt/FG-IR-26-060)](https://www.fortiguard.com/psirt/FG-IR-26-060)
- [[https://www.fortinet.com/blog/psirt-blogs/analysis-of-sso-abuse-on-fortios](https://www.fortinet.com/blog/psirt-blogs/analysis-of-sso-abuse-on-fortios)](https://www.fortinet.com/blog/psirt-blogs/analysis-of-sso-abuse-on-fortios)
- [[https://www.elastic.co/docs/reference/integrations/fortinet_fortigate](https://www.elastic.co/docs/reference/integrations/fortinet_fortigate)](https://www.elastic.co/docs/reference/integrations/fortinet_fortigate)
- [[https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/alerts/2026/01/28/fortinet-releases-guidance-address-ongoing-exploitation-authentication-bypass-vulnerability-cve-2026](https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/alerts/2026/01/28/fortinet-releases-guidance-address-ongoing-exploitation-authentication-bypass-vulnerability-cve-2026)](https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/alerts/2026/01/28/fortinet-releases-guidance-address-ongoing-exploitation-authentication-bypass-vulnerability-cve-2026)

**Tags**:
- Use Case: Threat Detection
- Tactic: Persistence
- Resources: Investigation Guide
- Domain: Network
- Domain: Identity
- Data Source: Fortinet
- Data Source: Fortinet FortiGate

**Version**: 1
**Rule authors**:
- Elastic

**Rule license**: Elastic License v2

## Investigation guide


## Triage and analysis


### Investigating FortiGate Administrator Account Creation from Unusual Source

This alert indicates that an administrator account was created on a FortiGate device from a source IP address that has not been observed performing configuration changes in the recent history window. This is a behavioral indicator of compromise, as threat actors exploiting SSO bypass vulnerabilities typically operate from infrastructure not previously associated with the device.

### Possible investigation steps

- Review `source.ip` to determine whether the IP address belongs to a known management network or authorized administrator location. Check against known threat infrastructure from The Constant Company LLC, BL Networks, and Kaopu Cloud HK Limited.
- Examine `fortinet.firewall.cfgobj` for the name of the newly created account and `fortinet.firewall.cfgattr` for the access profile assigned (especially super_admin).
- Check `source.user.name` to identify the account that performed the creation and verify whether it was recently created itself or accessed via SSO.
- Look for other configuration changes from the same source IP, including firewall policy modifications, configuration exports, or VPN user creation.
- Run `get system admin` on the affected FortiGate to list all current administrator accounts and compare against the authorized list.


### False positive analysis

- Authorized administrators connecting from a new location (VPN, travel, new office).
- Initial device setup or migration where configuration changes come from temporary infrastructure.
- Managed service providers performing authorized administration from rotating IP addresses.


### Response and remediation

- If unauthorized, immediately delete the newly created administrator account and audit the source account for compromise.
- Block the source IP at the perimeter and check other FortiGate devices for activity from the same IP.
- Restore configuration from a known-clean backup and rotate all credentials including LDAP/AD accounts connected to the device.
- Upgrade FortiOS to a patched version and disable FortiCloud SSO if not required.


## Rule Query

```kuery
event.dataset: "fortinet_fortigate.log" and
    event.code: "0100044547" and
    fortinet.firewall.cfgpath: "system.admin" and
    fortinet.firewall.action: "Add" and
    fortinet.firewall.ui: (* and not "")
```

**Framework:** MITRE ATT&CK
- Tactic:
  - Name: Persistence
- Id: TA0003
- Reference URL: [[https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0003/](https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0003/)](https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0003/)
- Technique:
  - Name: Create Account
- Id: T1136
- Reference URL: [[https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1136/](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1136/)](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1136/)
- Sub Technique:
  - Name: Local Account
- Id: T1136.001
- Reference URL: [[https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1136/001/](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1136/001/)](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1136/001/)