The Haag Element: Breaking Down AA24-241A

detections/endpoint/create_local_admin_accounts_using_net_exe.yml

@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@ tags:
   - Azorult
   - CISA AA22-257A
   - DarkGate Malware
+  - CISA AA24-241A
   asset_type: Endpoint
   confidence: 60
   impact: 50

detections/endpoint/detect_new_local_admin_account.yml

@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ tags:
   - DHS Report TA18-074A
   - HAFNIUM Group
   - CISA AA22-257A
+  - CISA AA24-241A
   asset_type: Windows
   confidence: 70
   impact: 60

detections/endpoint/detect_remote_access_software_usage_file.yml

@@ -47,6 +47,7 @@ tags:
   - Command And Control
   - Ransomware
   - Gozi Malware
+  - CISA AA24-241A
   asset_type: Endpoint
   confidence: 50
   impact: 50

detections/endpoint/detect_remote_access_software_usage_process.yml

@@ -51,6 +51,7 @@ tags:
   - Command And Control
   - Ransomware
   - Gozi Malware
+  - CISA AA24-241A
   asset_type: Endpoint
   confidence: 50
   impact: 50

detections/endpoint/disable_defender_antivirus_registry.yml

@@ -35,6 +35,7 @@ tags:
   analytic_story:
   - IcedID
   - Windows Registry Abuse
+  - CISA AA24-241A
   asset_type: Endpoint
   confidence: 70
   impact: 70

detections/endpoint/powershell_4104_hunting.yml

@@ -66,6 +66,7 @@ tags:
   - Flax Typhoon
   - CISA AA23-347A
   - Data Destruction
+  - CISA AA24-241A
   asset_type: Endpoint
   confidence: 100
   impact: 80

detections/endpoint/powershell_disable_security_monitoring.yml

@@ -41,6 +41,7 @@ tags:
   analytic_story:
   - Ransomware
   - Revil Ransomware
+  - CISA AA24-241A
   asset_type: Endpoint
   confidence: 50
   impact: 50

detections/endpoint/scheduled_task_deleted_or_created_via_cmd.yml

@@ -64,6 +64,7 @@ tags:
   - Phemedrone Stealer
   - ShrinkLocker
   - MoonPeak
+  - CISA AA24-241A
   asset_type: Endpoint
   confidence: 80
   impact: 70

detections/endpoint/suspicious_scheduled_task_from_public_directory.yml

@@ -50,6 +50,7 @@ tags:
   - DarkCrystal RAT
   - CISA AA23-347A
   - MoonPeak
+  - CISA AA24-241A
   asset_type: Endpoint
   confidence: 50
   impact: 70

detections/endpoint/windows_abused_web_services.yml

@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@ references:
 tags:
   analytic_story:
   - NjRAT
+  - CISA AA24-241A
   asset_type: Endpoint
   confidence: 60
   impact: 60

detections/endpoint/windows_create_local_account.yml

@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ references:
 tags:
   analytic_story:
   - Active Directory Password Spraying
+  - CISA AA24-241A
   asset_type: Endpoint
   confidence: 90
   impact: 20

detections/endpoint/windows_dism_install_powershell_web_access.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,71 @@
+name: Windows DISM Install PowerShell Web Access
+id: fa6142a7-c364-4d11-9954-895dd9efb2d4
+version: 1
+date: '2024-09-03'
+author: Michael Haag, Splunk
+data_sources:
+- Windows Event Log Security 4688
+- Sysmon EventID 1
+type: TTP
+status: production
+description: The following analytic detects the installation of PowerShell Web Access using the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool. It leverages Sysmon Event ID 1 to identify the execution of `dism.exe` with specific parameters related to enabling the WindowsPowerShellWebAccess feature. This activity is significant because enabling PowerShell Web Access can facilitate remote execution of PowerShell commands, potentially allowing an attacker to gain unauthorized access to systems and networks. If confirmed malicious, this action could lead to further exploitation and compromise of the affected system.
+search: ' | tstats `security_content_summariesonly` count min(_time) as firstTime max(_time) as lastTime 
+    from datamodel=Endpoint.Processes 
+    where Processes.process_name=dism.exe 
+      (Processes.process="*WindowsPowerShellWebAccess*" AND Processes.process="*/online*" AND Processes.process="*/enable-feature*")
+    by Processes.dest Processes.user Processes.parent_process_name Processes.process_name 
+      Processes.original_file_name Processes.process Processes.process_id Processes.parent_process_id
+  | `drop_dm_object_name(Processes)`  
+  | `security_content_ctime(firstTime)`
+  | `security_content_ctime(lastTime)`
+  | `windows_dism_install_powershell_web_access_filter`'
+how_to_implement: The detection is based on data that originates from Endpoint Detection
+  and Response (EDR) agents. These agents are designed to provide security-related
+  telemetry from the endpoints where the agent is installed. To implement this search,
+  you must ingest logs that contain the process GUID, process name, and parent process.
+  Additionally, you must ingest complete command-line executions. These logs must
+  be processed using the appropriate Splunk Technology Add-ons that are specific to
+  the EDR product. The logs must also be mapped to the `Processes` node of the `Endpoint`
+  data model. Use the Splunk Common Information Model (CIM) to normalize the field
+  names and speed up the data modeling process.
+known_false_positives: Administrators using the DISM tool to update and install Windows features may cause false positives that can be filtered with `windows_dism_install_powershell_web_access_filter`.
+references:
+- https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/cybersecurity-advisories/aa24-241a
+- https://gist.github.com/MHaggis/7e67b659af9148fa593cf2402edebb41
+tags:
+  analytic_story:
+  - CISA AA24-241A
+  asset_type: Endpoint
+  confidence: 80
+  impact: 90
+  message: PowerShell Web Access has been installed on $dest$.
+  mitre_attack_id:
+  - T1548.002
+  observable:
+  - name: dest
+    type: Endpoint
+    role:
+    - Victim
+  product:
+  - Splunk Enterprise
+  - Splunk Enterprise Security
+  - Splunk Cloud
+  required_fields:
+  - _time
+  - dest
+  - user
+  - parent_process_name
+  - process_name
+  - original_file_name
+  - process
+  - process_id
+  - parent_process_id
+  risk_score: 72
+  security_domain: endpoint
+  cve: []
+tests:
+- name: True Positive Test
+  attack_data:
+  - data: https://media.githubusercontent.com/media/splunk/attack_data/master/datasets/attack_techniques/T1548.002/atomic_red_team/dism_pswa_4688_windows-security.log
+    sourcetype: XmlWinEventLog
+    source: XmlWinEventLog:Security

detections/endpoint/windows_enable_powershell_web_access.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,57 @@
+name: Windows Enable PowerShell Web Access
+id: 175bb2de-6227-416b-9678-9b61999cd21f
+version: 1
+date: '2024-09-03'
+author: Michael Haag, Splunk
+data_sources:
+  - Powershell Script Block Logging 4104
+type: TTP
+status: production
+description: The following analytic detects the enabling of PowerShell Web Access via PowerShell commands. It leverages PowerShell script block logging (EventCode 4104) to identify the execution of the `Install-WindowsFeature` cmdlet with the `WindowsPowerShellWebAccess` parameter. This activity is significant because enabling PowerShell Web Access can facilitate remote execution of PowerShell commands, potentially allowing an attacker to gain unauthorized access to systems and networks.
+search: '`powershell` EventCode=4104 ScriptBlockText IN ("*Install-WindowsFeature*WindowsPowerShellWebAccess*","*Install-PswaWebApplication*","*Add-PswaAuthorizationRule*UserName *ComputerName *")
+  | rename Computer as dest
+  | stats count min(_time) as firstTime max(_time) as lastTime by EventCode ScriptBlockText dest UserID 
+  | `security_content_ctime(firstTime)` 
+  | `security_content_ctime(lastTime)` | `windows_enable_powershell_web_access_filter`'
+how_to_implement: To successfully implement this analytic, you will need to enable
+  PowerShell Script Block Logging on some or all endpoints. Additional setup here
+  https://docs.splunk.com/Documentation/UBA/5.0.4.1/GetDataIn/AddPowerShell#Configure_module_logging_for_PowerShell.
+known_false_positives: It is possible that legitimate scripts or network administrators
+  may enable PowerShell Web Access. Monitor and escalate as needed.
+references:
+- https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/cybersecurity-advisories/aa24-241a
+- https://gist.github.com/MHaggis/7e67b659af9148fa593cf2402edebb41
+tags:
+  analytic_story:
+  - CISA AA24-241A
+  - Malicious PowerShell
+  asset_type: Endpoint
+  confidence: 80
+  impact: 90
+  message: PowerShell Web Access has been enabled on $dest$.
+  mitre_attack_id:
+  - T1059.001
+  observable:
+  - name: dest
+    type: Endpoint
+    role:
+    - Victim
+  product:
+  - Splunk Enterprise
+  - Splunk Enterprise Security
+  - Splunk Cloud
+  required_fields:
+  - _time
+  - EventCode
+  - ScriptBlockText
+  - dest
+  - UserID
+  risk_score: 72
+  security_domain: endpoint
+  cve: []
+tests:
+- name: True Positive Test
+  attack_data:
+  - data: https://media.githubusercontent.com/media/splunk/attack_data/master/datasets/attack_techniques/T1059.001/powershell_script_block_logging/pswa_powershell.log
+    sourcetype: XmlWinEventLog
+    source: XmlWinEventLog:Microsoft-Windows-PowerShell/Operational

detections/endpoint/windows_modify_registry_delete_firewall_rules.yml

@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ references:
 tags:
   analytic_story:
   - ShrinkLocker
+  - CISA AA24-241A
   asset_type: Endpoint
   confidence: 80
   impact: 80

detections/endpoint/windows_modify_registry_to_add_or_modify_firewall_rule.yml

@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ references:
 tags:
   analytic_story:
   - ShrinkLocker
+  - CISA AA24-241A
   asset_type: Endpoint
   confidence: 50
   impact: 50

detections/endpoint/windows_ngrok_reverse_proxy_usage.yml

@@ -40,6 +40,7 @@ tags:
   analytic_story:
   - Reverse Network Proxy
   - CISA AA22-320A
+  - CISA AA24-241A
   asset_type: Endpoint
   confidence: 100
   impact: 50

detections/endpoint/winevent_windows_task_scheduler_event_action_started.yml

@@ -44,6 +44,7 @@ tags:
   - Data Destruction
   - Amadey
   - Scheduled Tasks
+  - CISA AA24-241A
   - BlackSuit Ransomware
   asset_type: Endpoint
   confidence: 100

detections/endpoint/wsmprovhost_lolbas_execution_process_spawn.yml

@@ -51,6 +51,7 @@ references:
 tags:
   analytic_story:
   - Active Directory Lateral Movement
+  - CISA AA24-241A
   asset_type: Endpoint
   confidence: 60
   impact: 90

detections/network/detect_remote_access_software_usage_dns.yml

@@ -36,6 +36,7 @@ tags:
   - Insider Threat
   - Command And Control
   - Ransomware
+  - CISA AA24-241A
   asset_type: Endpoint
   confidence: 20
   impact: 20

detections/network/f5_big_ip_icontrol_rest_vulnerability_cve_2022_1388.yml

@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@ references:
 tags:
   analytic_story:
   - F5 BIG-IP Vulnerability CVE-2022-1388
+  - CISA AA24-241A
   asset_type: Web Server
   confidence: 70
   cve:

detections/network/ngrok_reverse_proxy_on_network.yml

@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@ tags:
   analytic_story:
   - Reverse Network Proxy
   - CISA AA22-320A
+  - CISA AA24-241A
   asset_type: Endpoint
   confidence: 100
   impact: 50

detections/web/access_to_vulnerable_ivanti_connect_secure_bookmark_endpoint.yml

@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@ tags:
   - CVE-2024-21887
   analytic_story:
   - Ivanti Connect Secure VPN Vulnerabilities
+  - CISA AA24-241A
   asset_type: VPN Appliance
   atomic_guid: []
   confidence: 80

detections/web/citrix_adc_exploitation_cve_2023_3519.yml

@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ references:
 tags:
   analytic_story:
   - Citrix Netscaler ADC CVE-2023-3519
+  - CISA AA24-241A
   cve:
   - CVE-2023-3519
   asset_type: Network

detections/web/detect_remote_access_software_usage_url.yml

@@ -43,6 +43,7 @@ tags:
   - Insider Threat
   - Command And Control
   - Ransomware
+  - CISA AA24-241A
   asset_type: Network
   confidence: 50
   impact: 50

detections/web/ivanti_connect_secure_command_injection_attempts.yml

@@ -40,6 +40,7 @@ tags:
   - CVE-2024-21887
   analytic_story:
   - Ivanti Connect Secure VPN Vulnerabilities
+  - CISA AA24-241A
   asset_type: VPN Appliance
   atomic_guid: []
   confidence: 90

detections/web/ivanti_connect_secure_system_information_access_via_auth_bypass.yml

@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@ tags:
   - CVE-2024-21887
   analytic_story:
   - Ivanti Connect Secure VPN Vulnerabilities
+  - CISA AA24-241A
   asset_type: VPN Appliance
   atomic_guid: []
   confidence: 80

stories/cisa_aa24_241a.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+name: CISA AA24-241A
+id: f075adb6-76a6-4476-b24a-ce9d471a1bdc
+version: 1
+date: '2024-09-03'
+author: Michael Haag, Splunk
+description: This story covers the tactics of Iran-based cyber actors exploiting U.S. and foreign organizations across multiple sectors, as detailed in CISA Alert AA24-241A. It focuses on their methods of gaining initial access, establishing persistence, and enabling ransomware attacks through vulnerabilities in public-facing networking devices.
+narrative: As of August 2024, Iran-based cyber actors continue to exploit organizations across several U.S. sectors and other countries. The FBI assesses that a significant percentage of these operations aim to obtain network access for collaboration with ransomware affiliates. The actors typically use Shodan to identify vulnerable devices, then exploit public-facing networking equipment such as Citrix Netscaler, F5 BIG-IP, and various VPNs. They deploy webshells, create local accounts, and manipulate existing ones to maintain access. Post-exploitation, they repurpose credentials, disable security software, and use remote access tools. The group collaborates with ransomware affiliates like NoEscape, Ransomhouse, and ALPHV, actively participating in network lockdowns and extortion strategies. Defenders should prioritize patching public-facing devices, monitoring for unauthorized accounts and suspicious PowerShell activity, implementing strong access controls, and regularly reviewing logs for signs of compromise.
+references:
+  - https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/cybersecurity-advisories/aa24-241a
+  - https://gist.github.com/MHaggis/7e67b659af9148fa593cf2402edebb41
+tags:
+  category:
+  - Adversary Tactics
+  product:
+  - Splunk Enterprise
+  - Splunk Enterprise Security
+  - Splunk Cloud
+  usecase: Advanced Threat Detection
+  cve:
+  - CVE-2024-24919
+  - CVE-2024-3400
+  - CVE-2019-19781
+  - CVE-2023-3519
+  - CVE-2022-1388
+  - CVE-2024-21887