Potential LSA Authentication Package Abuse

Adversaries can use the autostart mechanism provided by the Local Security Authority (LSA) authentication packages for privilege escalation or persistence by placing a reference to a binary in the Windows registry. The binary will then be executed by SYSTEM when the authentication packages are loaded.

Rule type: eql

Rule indices:

• logs-endpoint.events.*

Severity: medium

Risk score: 47

Runs every: 5m

Searches indices from: now-9m (https://www.elastic.co/guide/en/elasticsearch/reference/current/common-options.html#date-math[Date Math format], see also Additional look-back time)

Maximum alerts per execution: 100

References: None

Tags:

• Elastic
• Host
• Windows
• Threat Detection
• Privilege Escalation

Version: 101

Rule authors:

• Elastic

Rule license: Elastic License v2

registry where event.type == "change" and
  registry.path : "HKLM\\SYSTEM\\*ControlSet*\\Control\\Lsa\\Authentication Packages" and
  /* exclude SYSTEM SID - look for changes by non-SYSTEM user */
  not user.id : "S-1-5-18"

Framework: MITRE ATT&CKTM

• Tactic:

  • Name: Privilege Escalation
  • ID: TA0004
  • Reference URL: https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0004/

• Technique:

  • Name: Boot or Logon Autostart Execution
  • ID: T1547
  • Reference URL: https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1547/

• Sub-technique:

  • Name: Authentication Package
  • ID: T1547.002
  • Reference URL: https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1547/002/

• Tactic:

  • Name: Persistence
  • ID: TA0003
  • Reference URL: https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0003/

• Technique:

  • Name: Boot or Logon Autostart Execution
  • ID: T1547
  • Reference URL: https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1547/

• Sub-technique:

  • Name: Authentication Package
  • ID: T1547.002
  • Reference URL: https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1547/002/