Windows Local Administrator Credential Stuffing

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Description

The following analytic detects attempts to authenticate using the built-in local Administrator account across more than 30 endpoints within a 5-minute window. It leverages Windows Event Logs, specifically events 4625 and 4624, to identify this behavior. This activity is significant as it may indicate an adversary attempting to validate stolen local credentials across multiple hosts, potentially leading to privilege escalation. If confirmed malicious, this could allow the attacker to gain widespread access and control over numerous systems within the network, posing a severe security risk.

• Type: TTP

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

• Last Updated: 2024-05-16
• Author: Mauricio Velazco, Splunk
• ID: 09555511-aca6-484a-b6ab-72cd03d73c34

Annotations

ATT&CK

ATT&CK

ID	Technique	Tactic
T1110	Brute Force	Credential Access

T1110.004

Credential Stuffing

Credential Access

Kill Chain Phase

• Exploitation

NIST

• DE.CM

CIS20

• CIS 10

CVE

Search

 `wineventlog_security` EventCode=4625 OR EventCode=4624 Logon_Type=3 TargetUserName=Administrator 
| bucket span=5m _time 
| stats dc(Computer) AS unique_targets values(Computer) as host_targets by _time, IpAddress, TargetUserName, EventCode 
| where unique_targets > 30 
| `windows_local_administrator_credential_stuffing_filter`

Macros

The SPL above uses the following Macros:

• wineventlog_security

windows_local_administrator_credential_stuffing_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.

• _time
• EventCode
• Logon_Type
• TargetUserName
• Computer
• IpAddress

How To Implement

To successfully implement this search, you need to be ingesting Windows Event Logs from domain controllers as well as member servers and workstations. The Advanced Security Audit policy setting Audit Logon within Logon/Logoff needs to be enabled.

Known False Positives

Vulnerability scanners or system administration tools may also trigger this detection. Filter as needed.

Associated Analytic Story

• Active Directory Privilege Escalation
• Active Directory Lateral Movement

RBA

Risk Score	Impact	Confidence	Message
56.0	70	80	Local Administrator credential stuffing attack coming from $IpAddress$

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

• https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1110/004/
• https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1110/
• https://www.blackhillsinfosec.com/wide-spread-local-admin-testing/
• https://www.pentestpartners.com/security-blog/admin-password-re-use-dont-do-it/
• https://www.praetorian.com/blog/microsofts-local-administrator-password-solution-laps/
• https://wiki.porchetta.industries/smb-protocol/password-spraying

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

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