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[Rule Tuning] Microsoft Entra ID MFA TOTP Brute Force Attempts #4937

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Merged
merged 2 commits into from
Jul 29, 2025

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terrancedejesus
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@terrancedejesus terrancedejesus commented Jul 28, 2025

Pull Request

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Summary - What I changed

Tunes the Microsoft Entra ID MFA TOTP Brute Force Attempts rule for the following:

  • Update name to Microsoft Entra ID MFA TOTP Brute Force Attempts
  • Updated description as query logic has been adjusted
  • Investigation guide updates to stay consistent with investigation guide formats and be more agnostic
  • Updated tags to stay consistent with naming
  • Updated rule query
    • Only filter on azure.signinlogs.properties.mfa_detail.auth_method == "OATH verification code" and not MFA. This infers MFA was used.
    • Added azure.signinlogs.properties.user_type == "Member" to ensure it only flags on user accounts.
    • Focus on failure attempts reported for login or error code 500121 which reflects STS500121
    • Added several VALUES() statements to retain field values for alert
    • IMPORTANT - Added Esql.azure_signinlogs_properties.session_id_count_distinct = COUNT_DISTINCT(azure.signinlogs.properties.session_id) and then aggregated by the count. As reported by Oasis security, not only are multiple TOTP codes used, but multiple sessions which were the original brute force method. This should be higher fidelity as multiple sessions for multiple TOTP are not common unless pentesting or actual brute forcing.

NOTE - < 100 alerts in the last 6 months for this rule, no FP adjustments needed.

How To Test

Query can be used in TRADE stack, use Esql.azure_signinlogs_properties.session_id_count_distinct >= 8.

Checklist

  • Added a label for the type of pr: bug, enhancement, schema, maintenance, Rule: New, Rule: Deprecation, Rule: Tuning, Hunt: New, or Hunt: Tuning so guidelines can be generated
  • Added the meta:rapid-merge label if planning to merge within 24 hours
  • Secret and sensitive material has been managed correctly
  • Automated testing was updated or added to match the most common scenarios
  • Documentation and comments were added for features that require explanation

Contributor checklist

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Rule: New - Guidelines

These guidelines serve as a reminder set of considerations when proposing a new rule.

Documentation and Context

  • Detailed description of the rule.
  • List any new fields required in ECS/data sources.
  • Link related issues or PRs.
  • Include references.

Rule Metadata Checks

  • creation_date matches the date of creation PR initially merged.
  • min_stack_version should support the widest stack versions.
  • name and description should be descriptive and not include typos.
  • query should be inclusive, not overly exclusive, considering performance for diverse environments. Non ecs fields should be added to non-ecs-schema.json if not available in an integration.
  • min_stack_comments and min_stack_version should be included if the rule is only compatible starting from a specific stack version.
  • index pattern should be neither too specific nor too vague, ensuring it accurately matches the relevant data stream (e.g., use logs-endpoint.process-* for process data).
  • integration should align with the index. If the integration is newly introduced, ensure the manifest, schemas, and new_rule.yaml template are updated.
  • setup should include the necessary steps to configure the integration.
  • note should include any additional information (e.g. Triage and analysis investigation guides, timeline templates).
  • tags should be relevant to the threat and align/added to the EXPECTED_RULE_TAGS in the definitions.py file.
  • threat, techniques, and subtechniques should map to ATT&CK always if possible.

New BBR Rules

  • building_block_type should be included if the rule is a building block and the rule should be located in the rules_building_block folder.
  • bypass_bbr_timing should be included if adding custom lookback timing to the rule.

Testing and Validation

  • Provide evidence of testing and detecting the expected threat.
  • Check for existence of coverage to prevent duplication.

@terrancedejesus terrancedejesus marked this pull request as ready for review July 28, 2025 17:24
@Mikaayenson
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@terrancedejesus this rule hasn't changed ever since it was first created. The only thing that may have changed in May is the release (potentially integrations package). Is the issue just the data or did the integration change from May (or anything else)?

@terrancedejesus
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terrancedejesus commented Jul 28, 2025

@Mikaayenson - The core issue reported was based on the logic and what was being reported in the environment. Mainly, SFA when CAPs are not applied during a TOTP workflow. Also the query needed adjusted to aggregate by unique session IDs as well, not just attempts. More details are in the issue but I am happy to discuss further.

@terrancedejesus terrancedejesus merged commit 756a7f4 into main Jul 29, 2025
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@terrancedejesus terrancedejesus deleted the rule-tuning-totp-brute-force branch July 29, 2025 13:24
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3 participants