Detecting Nation State Actors Near Realtime
Query
//Detecting Nation State Actors @ Near Realtime
//https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7172463683351113728/
//In view of recent updates from Microsoft on Midnight Blizzard, for those on Microsoft Entra ID P2 running the below Sentinel KQL analytic rule at NRT (Near real-time) will give you the best detection if your tenant is impacted by any nation state actors based on Microsoft Security Intelligence (MSTIC) telemetry data.
AADUserRiskEvents
| where RiskEventType == "nationStateIP"
// MITRE ATT&CK Mapping
// Based on the operations and objectives of the KQL code, the following MITRE ATT&CK techniques are relevant:
// Technique ID: T1071.001 - Application Layer Protocol: Web Protocols: This technique involves adversaries using web protocols to communicate with systems under their control. Nation-state actors often use such methods to gain initial access to systems1.
// Technique ID: T1078.004 - Valid Accounts: Cloud Accounts: This technique involves adversaries using valid cloud accounts to gain access. Nation-state actors may use compromised cloud accounts to infiltrate systems2.Explanation
This query is designed to help detect potential threats from nation-state actors in near real-time using Microsoft Sentinel and Microsoft Entra ID P2. It focuses on identifying risk events where the risk type is associated with "nationStateIP," which suggests that the activity might be linked to nation-state actors based on Microsoft's security intelligence data.
The query is part of a broader effort to monitor for suspicious activities that could indicate an attack by sophisticated adversaries, such as nation-state actors. It leverages Microsoft's telemetry data to provide insights into whether a tenant might be affected by such threats.
Additionally, the query is mapped to specific MITRE ATT&CK techniques, which are frameworks used to understand and categorize tactics and techniques used by adversaries:
-
T1071.001 - Application Layer Protocol: Web Protocols: This technique involves the use of web protocols by adversaries to communicate with systems they control. Nation-state actors might use these methods to gain initial access to systems.
-
T1078.004 - Valid Accounts: Cloud Accounts: This technique involves the use of valid cloud accounts by adversaries to gain access. Nation-state actors might exploit compromised cloud accounts to infiltrate systems.
In summary, this query is a tool for detecting potential nation-state cyber threats by monitoring specific risk events and aligning them with known adversary techniques.
