Recurring rare domain access from an unsigned process

Synopsis

Field	Value
Activation Period	14 Days
Training Period	30 Days
Test Period	N/A (single event)
Deduplication Period	14 Days
Required Data	XDR Agent
ATT&CK Tactic	Command and Control (TA0011)
ATT&CK Technique	Application Layer Protocol (T1071)
Severity	Low

Description

An unsigned process is periodically connecting to an external domain that it and its peers rarely use. Access to this domain has occurred repeatedly over multiple days. This connection pattern is consistent with malware connecting to its command and control server for updates and operating instructions.

Attacker's Goals

Communicate with malware running on your network to control malware activities, perform software updates on the malware, or to take inventory of infected machines.

Investigative actions

• Identify the process contacting the remote domain and determine whether the traffic is malicious.
• Look for other endpoints on your network that are also periodically contacting the suspicious domain.
• Inspect the domain or URL for suspicious indicators or its presence in malicious reputation lists.

Variations

Recurring rare domain access from an uncommon unsigned process

Synopsis

Field	Value
ATT&CK Tactic	Command and Control (TA0011)
ATT&CK Technique	Application Layer Protocol (T1071)
Severity	Medium

Description

An unsigned process is periodically connecting to an external domain that it and its peers rarely use. Access to this domain has occurred repeatedly over multiple days. This connection pattern is consistent with malware connecting to its command and control server for updates and operating instructions.

Attacker's Goals

Communicate with malware running on your network to control malware activities, perform software updates on the malware, or to take inventory of infected machines.

Investigative actions

• Identify the process contacting the remote domain and determine whether the traffic is malicious.
• Look for other endpoints on your network that are also periodically contacting the suspicious domain.
• Inspect the domain or URL for suspicious indicators or its presence in malicious reputation lists.

Recurring access to a rare domain associated with known threats

Synopsis

Field	Value
ATT&CK Tactic	Command and Control (TA0011)
ATT&CK Technique	Application Layer Protocol (T1071)
Severity	Medium

Description

An unsigned process is periodically connecting to an external domain that it and its peers rarely use. Access to this domain has occurred repeatedly over multiple days. This connection pattern is consistent with malware connecting to its command and control server for updates and operating instructions.

Attacker's Goals

Communicate with malware running on your network to control malware activities, perform software updates on the malware, or to take inventory of infected machines.

Investigative actions

• Identify the process contacting the remote domain and determine whether the traffic is malicious.
• Look for other endpoints on your network that are also periodically contacting the suspicious domain.
• Inspect the domain or URL for suspicious indicators or its presence in malicious reputation lists.