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Description

The following analytic detects successful Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) connections by monitoring EventCode 1149 from the Windows TerminalServices RemoteConnectionManager Operational log. This detection is significant as successful RDP connections can indicate remote access to a system, which may be leveraged by attackers to control or exfiltrate data. If confirmed malicious, this activity could lead to unauthorized access, data theft, or further lateral movement within the network. Monitoring successful RDP connections is crucial for identifying potential security breaches and mitigating risks promptly.

  • Type: Hunting

  • Product: Splunk Enterprise, Splunk Enterprise Security, Splunk Cloud

  • Last Updated: 2024-05-20
  • Author: Michael Haag, Splunk
  • ID: ceaed840-56b3-4a70-b8e1-d762b1c5c08c

Annotations

ATT&CK

ATT&CK

ID Technique Tactic
T1563.002 RDP Hijacking Lateral Movement
Kill Chain Phase
  • Exploitation
NIST
  • DE.AE
CIS20
  • CIS 10
CVE 


1
2
3
4
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6



`remoteconnectionmanager` EventCode=1149 
| stats count min(_time) as firstTime max(_time) as lastTime by Computer, user_id 
| `security_content_ctime(firstTime)` 
| `security_content_ctime(lastTime)` 
| rename Computer as dest 
| `windows_rdp_connection_successful_filter`

Macros

The SPL above uses the following Macros:

:information_source: windows_rdp_connection_successful_filter is a empty macro by default. It allows the user to filter out any results (false positives) without editing the SPL.

Required fields

List of fields required to use this analytic.

  • EventCode
  • ComputerName
  • Source_Network_Address
  • User
  • Message

How To Implement

The following analyic requires the WIndows TerminalServices RemoteConnectionManager Operational log to be enabled and ingested into Splunk. For the inputs, review https://gist.github.com/MHaggis/138c6bf563bacbda4a2524f089773706.

Known False Positives

False positives will be present, filter as needed or restrict to critical assets on the perimeter.

Associated Analytic Story

RBA

Risk Score Impact Confidence Message
25.0 50 50 A successful RDP connection on $dest$ occurred.

:information_source: The Risk Score is calculated by the following formula: Risk Score = (Impact * Confidence/100). Initial Confidence and Impact is set by the analytic author.

Reference

Test Dataset

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 | version: 3