IMPORTANT: No additional bug fixes or documentation updates
will be released for this version. For the latest information, see the
current release documentation.
AdFind Command Activity
editAdFind Command Activity
editThis rule detects the Active Directory query tool, AdFind.exe. AdFind has legitimate purposes, but it is frequently leveraged by threat actors to perform post-exploitation Active Directory reconnaissance. The AdFind tool has been observed in Trickbot, Ryuk, Maze, and FIN6 campaigns. For Winlogbeat, this rule requires Sysmon.
Rule type: eql
Rule indices:
- logs-endpoint.events.*
- winlogbeat-*
- logs-windows.*
Severity: low
Risk score: 21
Runs every: 5 minutes
Searches indices from: now-9m (Date Math format, see also Additional look-back time
)
Maximum alerts per execution: 100
References:
- http://www.joeware.net/freetools/tools/adfind/
- https://thedfirreport.com/2020/05/08/adfind-recon/
- https://www.fireeye.com/blog/threat-research/2020/05/tactics-techniques-procedures-associated-with-maze-ransomware-incidents.html
- https://www.cybereason.com/blog/dropping-anchor-from-a-trickbot-infection-to-the-discovery-of-the-anchor-malware
- https://www.fireeye.com/blog/threat-research/2019/04/pick-six-intercepting-a-fin6-intrusion.html
- https://usa.visa.com/dam/VCOM/global/support-legal/documents/fin6-cybercrime-group-expands-threat-To-ecommerce-merchants.pdf
Tags:
- Elastic
- Host
- Windows
- Threat Detection
- Discovery
Version: 5 (version history)
Added (Elastic Stack release): 7.11.0
Last modified (Elastic Stack release): 7.16.0
Rule authors: Elastic
Rule license: Elastic License v2
Investigation guide
edit## Triage and analysis ### Investigating AdFind Command Activity [AdFind](http://www.joeware.net/freetools/tools/adfind/) is a freely available command-line tool used to retrieve information from Activity Directory (AD). Network discovery and enumeration tools like `AdFind` are useful to adversaries in the same ways they are effective for network administrators. This tool provides quick ability to scope AD person/computer objects and understand subnets and domain information. There are many [examples](https://thedfirreport.com/category/adfind/) observed where this tool has been adopted by ransomware and criminal groups and used in compromises. #### Possible investigation steps: - `AdFind` is a legitimate Active Directory enumeration tool used by network administrators, it's important to understand the source of the activity. This could involve identifying the account using `AdFind` and determining based on the command-lines what information was retrieved, then further determining if these actions are in scope of that user's traditional responsibilities. - In multiple public references, `AdFind` is leveraged after initial access is achieved, review previous activity on impacted machine looking for suspicious indicators such as previous anti-virus/EDR alerts, phishing emails received, or network traffic to suspicious infrastructure ### False Positive Analysis - This rule has the high chance to produce false positives as it is a legitimate tool used by network administrators. One option could be whitelisting specific users or groups who use the tool as part of their daily responsibilities. This can be done by leveraging the exception workflow in the Kibana Security App or Elasticsearch API to tune this rule to your environment - Malicious behavior with `AdFind` should be investigated as part of a step within an attack chain. It doesn't happen in isolation, so reviewing previous logs/activity from impacted machines could be very telling. ### Related Rules - Windows Network Enumeration - Enumeration of Administrator Accounts - Enumeration Command Spawned via WMIPrvSE ### Response and Remediation - Immediate response should be taken to validate activity, investigate and potentially isolate activity to prevent further post-compromise behavior - It's important to understand that `AdFind` is an Active Directory enumeration tool and can be used for malicious or legitimate purposes, so understanding the intent behind the activity will help determine the appropropriate response.
Rule query
editprocess where event.type in ("start", "process_started") and (process.name : "AdFind.exe" or process.pe.original_file_name == "AdFind.exe") and process.args : ("objectcategory=computer", "(objectcategory=computer)", "objectcategory=person", "(objectcategory=person)", "objectcategory=subnet", "(objectcategory=subnet)", "objectcategory=group", "(objectcategory=group)", "objectcategory=organizationalunit", "(objectcategory=organizationalunit)", "objectcategory=attributeschema", "(objectcategory=attributeschema)", "domainlist", "dcmodes", "adinfo", "dclist", "computers_pwnotreqd", "trustdmp")
Threat mapping
editFramework: MITRE ATT&CKTM
-
Tactic:
- Name: Discovery
- ID: TA0007
- Reference URL: https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0007/
-
Technique:
- Name: Permission Groups Discovery
- ID: T1069
- Reference URL: https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1069/
Rule version history
edit- Version 5 (7.16.0 release)
-
- Formatting only
- Version 4 (7.13.0 release)
-
- Formatting only
- Version 3 (7.12.0 release)
-
- Formatting only
- Version 2 (7.11.2 release)
-
- Formatting only