Network-Level Authentication (NLA) Disabled
editNetwork-Level Authentication (NLA) Disabled
editIdentifies the attempt to disable Network-Level Authentication (NLA) via registry modification. Network Level Authentication (NLA) is a feature on Windows that provides an extra layer of security for Remote Desktop (RDP) connections, as it requires users to authenticate before allowing a full RDP session. Attackers can disable NLA to enable persistence methods that require access to the Windows sign-in screen without authenticating, such as Accessibility Features persistence methods, like Sticky Keys.
Rule type: eql
Rule indices:
- logs-endpoint.events.registry-*
- endgame-*
- logs-m365_defender.event-*
- logs-sentinel_one_cloud_funnel.*
- logs-windows.sysmon_operational-*
Severity: low
Risk score: 21
Runs every: 5m
Searches indices from: now-9m (Date Math format, see also Additional look-back time
)
Maximum alerts per execution: 100
References:
Tags:
- Domain: Endpoint
- OS: Windows
- Use Case: Threat Detection
- Tactic: Defense Evasion
- Data Source: Elastic Defend
- Data Source: Elastic Endgame
- Data Source: Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Data Source: SentinelOne
- Data Source: Sysmon
Version: 103
Rule authors:
- Elastic
Rule license: Elastic License v2
Rule query
editregistry where host.os.type == "windows" and event.action != "deletion" and registry.value : "UserAuthentication" and registry.path : ( "HKLM\\SYSTEM\\ControlSet*\\Control\\Terminal Server\\WinStations\\RDP-Tcp\\UserAuthentication", "\\REGISTRY\\MACHINE\\SYSTEM\\*ControlSet*\\Control\\Terminal Server\\WinStations\\RDP-Tcp\\UserAuthentication", "MACHINE\\SYSTEM\\*ControlSet*\\Control\\Terminal Server\\WinStations\\RDP-Tcp\\UserAuthentication" ) and registry.data.strings : ("0", "0x00000000")
Framework: MITRE ATT&CKTM
-
Tactic:
- Name: Defense Evasion
- ID: TA0005
- Reference URL: https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0005/
-
Technique:
- Name: Modify Registry
- ID: T1112
- Reference URL: https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1112/
-
Technique:
- Name: Impair Defenses
- ID: T1562
- Reference URL: https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1562/