Azure AD account unlock/password reset attempt

Synopsis

Field	Value
Activation Period	14 Days
Training Period	30 Days
Test Period	N/A (single event)
Deduplication Period	1 Day
Required Data	AzureAD Audit Log
Detection Modules	Identity Threat Module, SaaS Threat Detection
ATT&CK Tactic	Persistence (TA0003)
ATT&CK Technique	Valid Accounts (T1078)
Severity	Informational

Description

An attempt to unlock an Azure AD identity or reset its password has occurred.

Attacker's Goals

• An attacker may switch a valid account's password for persistence.

Investigative actions

• Check if the password reset is authorized.
• Check whether the user who reset the password is permitted to perform such actions.
• Check if the account is in the password reset group or is acting out of scope.
• Check whether the user has not completed the password reset and cancelled before successfully passing authentication methods.
• Follow further actions or suspicious logins from the target account.

Variations

Azure AD account unlock/successful password reset

Synopsis

Field	Value
ATT&CK Tactic	Persistence (TA0003)
ATT&CK Technique	Valid Accounts (T1078)
Severity	Low

Description

An identity successfully reset or changed Azure AD password.

Attacker's Goals

• An attacker may switch a valid account's password for persistence.

Investigative actions

• Check if the password reset is authorized.
• Check whether the user who reset the password is permitted to perform such actions.
• Check if the account is in the password reset group or is acting out of scope.
• Check whether the user has not completed the password reset and cancelled before successfully passing authentication methods.
• Follow further actions or suspicious logins from the target account.