Rare MS-Update traffic over HTTP

Synopsis

Field	Value
Activation Period	14 Days
Training Period	30 Days
Test Period	N/A (single event)
Deduplication Period	1 Day
Required Data	Requires one of the following data sources: Palo Alto Networks Firewall EAL Logs OR XDR Agent
ATT&CK Tactic	Lateral Movement (TA0008)
ATT&CK Technique	Exploitation of Remote Services (T1210)
Severity	Informational

Description

The endpoint requested an MS-Update operation with abnormal HTTP traffic characteristics.

Attacker's Goals

• The Windows Server Update Services enable machines to discover and download software updates from a dedicated update server.
• Attacker may use the MS-Update protocol to execute unauthorized code through Microsoft binaries.

Investigative actions

• Inspect the legitimacy of the server as a WSUS functioning server.
• Verify that your MS-Update network routine is HTTPS enforced* Verify that this MS-Update server is not a newly deployed server as part of a legitimate IT activity.