Unusual ADConnect database file access

Synopsis

Field	Value
Activation Period	14 Days
Training Period	30 Days
Test Period	N/A (single event)
Deduplication Period	1 Day
Required Data	XDR Agent with eXtended Threat Hunting (XTH)
ATT&CK Tactic	Credential Access (TA0006)
ATT&CK Technique	Unsecured Credentials (T1552)
Severity	Informational

Description

An unusual process accessed the ADConnect database files.

Attacker's Goals

• Attackers can abuse the Azure AD Connect database files to get access to the AD Sync account.
• The AD Sync account is a highly privileged account that can perform a DCSync and get access to on-premise password hashes.

Investigative actions

• See whether this was a legitimate action.
• Follow process/user/host activities.
• Follow unusual actions of the AD Sync user.
• Check for unusual Azure AD authentications.
• Check for a possible DCSync.

Variations

Suspicious access to ADConnect database file

Synopsis

Field	Value
ATT&CK Tactic	Credential Access (TA0006)
ATT&CK Technique	Unsecured Credentials (T1552)
Severity	Medium

Description

An unusual process accessed the ADConnect database files with some suspicious characteristics that flagged this access attempt as a suspicious.

Attacker's Goals

• Attackers can abuse the Azure AD Connect database files to get access to the AD Sync account.
• The AD Sync account is a highly privileged account that can perform a DCSync and get access to on-premise password hashes.

Investigative actions

• See whether this was a legitimate action.
• Follow process/user/host activities.
• Follow unusual actions of the AD Sync user.
• Check for unusual Azure AD authentications.
• Check for a possible DCSync.

Access to ADConnect database file by an unsigned or unusual process

Synopsis

Field	Value
ATT&CK Tactic	Credential Access (TA0006)
ATT&CK Technique	Unsecured Credentials (T1552)
Severity	Low

Description

An unusual process accessed the ADConnect database files with some suspicious characteristics that flagged this access attempt as a suspicious access.

Attacker's Goals

• Attackers can abuse the Azure AD Connect database files to get access to the AD Sync account.
• The AD Sync account is a highly privileged account that can perform a DCSync and get access to on-premise password hashes.

Investigative actions

• See whether this was a legitimate action.
• Follow process/user/host activities.
• Follow unusual actions of the AD Sync user.
• Check for unusual Azure AD authentications.
• Check for a possible DCSync.