User added to a group and removed

Synopsis

Field	Value
Activation Period	14 Days
Training Period	30 Days
Test Period	10 Hours
Deduplication Period	1 Day
Required Data	Requires one of the following data sources: Windows Event Collector OR XDR Agent with eXtended Threat Hunting (XTH)
Detection Modules	Identity Analytics
ATT&CK Tactic	Persistence (TA0003), Privilege Escalation (TA0004)
ATT&CK Technique	Account Manipulation (T1098), Valid Accounts (T1078)
Severity	Informational

Description

A user was added to an Active Directory group and removed within a short period of time, which may be a sign of compromise.

Attacker's Goals

Elevate permissions and establish persistence.

Investigative actions

• Verify the activity with the performing user.
• Confirm that the group addition was not accidental.
• Check for any suspicious actions performed by the added user.
• Check for a possible compromise of the initiating user.

Variations

Rare privileged group addition and removal

Synopsis

Field	Value
ATT&CK Tactic	Persistence (TA0003), Privilege Escalation (TA0004)
ATT&CK Technique	Account Manipulation (T1098), Valid Accounts (T1078)
Severity	Medium

Description

A user was added to an Active Directory privileged group and removed within a short period of time, which may be a sign of compromise.

Attacker's Goals

Elevate permissions and establish persistence.

Investigative actions

• Verify the activity with the performing user.
• Confirm that the group addition was not accidental.
• Check for any suspicious actions performed by the added user.
• Check for a possible compromise of the initiating user.

User added to a privileged group and removed

Synopsis

Field	Value
ATT&CK Tactic	Persistence (TA0003), Privilege Escalation (TA0004)
ATT&CK Technique	Account Manipulation (T1098), Valid Accounts (T1078)
Severity	Low

Description

A user was added to an Active Directory privileged group and removed within a short period of time, which may be a sign of compromise.

Attacker's Goals

Elevate permissions and establish persistence.

Investigative actions

• Verify the activity with the performing user.
• Confirm that the group addition was not accidental.
• Check for any suspicious actions performed by the added user.
• Check for a possible compromise of the initiating user.