ID | Technique | Tactic |
---|---|---|
T1621 | Multi-Factor Authentication Request Generation | Credential Access |
Detection: Okta Multiple Failed MFA Requests For User
Description
The following analytic identifies multiple failed multi-factor authentication (MFA) requests for a single user within an Okta tenant. It triggers when more than 10 MFA attempts fail within 5 minutes, using Okta event logs to detect this pattern. This activity is significant as it may indicate an adversary attempting to bypass MFA by bombarding the user with repeated authentication requests, a technique used by threat actors like Lapsus and APT29. If confirmed malicious, this could lead to unauthorized access, potentially compromising sensitive information and systems.
Search
1`okta` eventType=user.authentication.auth_via_mfa outcome.result=FAILURE debugContext.debugData.factor!=PASSWORD_AS_FACTOR
2| bucket _time span=5m
3| stats count min(_time) as firstTime max(_time) as lastTime values(displayMessage) values(src_ip) as src_ip values(debugContext.debugData.factor) by _time src_user
4| where count >= 10
5| `security_content_ctime(firstTime)`
6| `security_content_ctime(lastTime)`
7| `okta_multiple_failed_mfa_requests_for_user_filter`
Data Source
Name | Platform | Sourcetype | Source | Supported App |
---|---|---|---|---|
Okta | N/A | 'OktaIM2:log' |
'Okta' |
N/A |
Macros Used
Name | Value |
---|---|
okta | eventtype=okta_log OR sourcetype = "OktaIM2:log" |
okta_multiple_failed_mfa_requests_for_user_filter | search * |
okta_multiple_failed_mfa_requests_for_user_filter
is an empty macro by default. It allows the user to filter out any results (false positives) without editing the SPL.
Annotations
Default Configuration
This detection is configured by default in Splunk Enterprise Security to run with the following settings:
Setting | Value |
---|---|
Disabled | true |
Cron Schedule | 0 * * * * |
Earliest Time | -70m@m |
Latest Time | -10m@m |
Schedule Window | auto |
Creates Risk Event | True |
Implementation
The analytic leverages Okta OktaIm2 logs to be ingested using the Splunk Add-on for Okta Identity Cloud (https://splunkbase.splunk.com/app/6553).
Known False Positives
Multiple Failed MFA requests may also be a sign of authentication or application issues. Filter as needed and monitor for any unusual activity.
Associated Analytic Story
Risk Based Analytics (RBA)
Risk Message | Risk Score | Impact | Confidence |
---|---|---|---|
Multiple failed MFA requests for user $src_user$ from IP Address - $src_ip$ | 42 | 60 | 70 |
References
Detection Testing
Test Type | Status | Dataset | Source | Sourcetype |
---|---|---|---|---|
Validation | ✅ Passing | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Unit | ✅ Passing | Dataset | Okta |
OktaIM2:log |
Integration | ✅ Passing | Dataset | Okta |
OktaIM2:log |
Replay any dataset to Splunk Enterprise by using our replay.py
tool or the UI.
Alternatively you can replay a dataset into a Splunk Attack Range
Source: GitHub | Version: 3