Detect Outbound SMB Traffic: networkEndpointNoneversion:17
The following analytic detects outbound SMB (Server Message Block) connections from internal hosts to external servers. It identifies this activity by monitoring network traffic for SMB requests directed towards the Internet, which are unusual for standard operations. This detection is significant for a SOC as it can indicate an attacker's attempt to retrieve credential hashes through compromised servers, a key step in lateral movement and privilege escalation. If confirmed malicious, this activity could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data and potential full system compromise.
Cisco SA - Automated Web Reconnaissance via HTTP Access Errors: threatEndpointNoneversion:2
This analytic detects probable automated web reconnaissance using Cisco Secure Access proxy telemetry.
A high volume of HTTP client errors (401/403/404/etc) across many unique URLs in a short window is consistent with directory/file enumeration behavior generated by tools such as Gobuster, DirBuster, ffuf, or Burp Intruder.
Detecting this pattern helps identify pre-exploitation scanning activity, insider reconnaissance, compromised endpoints performing discovery, and attempts to find hidden administrative paths, APIs, backups, and exposed application files.
Detect Outbound LDAP Traffic: networkEndpointNoneversion:13
The following analytic identifies outbound LDAP traffic to external IP addresses. It leverages the Network_Traffic data model to detect connections on ports 389 or 636 that are not directed to private IP ranges (RFC1918). This activity is significant because outbound LDAP traffic can indicate potential data exfiltration or unauthorized access attempts. If confirmed malicious, attackers could exploit this to access sensitive directory information, leading to data breaches or further network compromise.
Windows Remote Desktop Network Bruteforce Attempt: networkEndpointNoneversion:10
The following analytic identifies potential Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) brute force attacks by monitoring network traffic for RDP application activity. This query detects potential RDP brute force attacks by identifying source IPs that have made more than 10 connection attempts to the same RDP port on a host within a one-hour window. The results are presented in a table that includes the source and destination IPs, destination port, number of attempts, and the times of the first and last connection attempts, helping to prioritize IPs based on the intensity of activity.
Detect Large ICMP Traffic: networkEndpointNoneversion:8
The following analytic identifies ICMP traffic to external IP addresses with total bytes (sum of bytes in and bytes out) greater than 1,000 bytes.
It leverages the Network_Traffic data model to detect large ICMP packet that aren't blocked and are directed toward external networks. We use All_Traffic.bytes in the detection to capture variations in inbound versus outbound traffic sizes, as significant discrepancies or unusually large ICMP exchanges can indicate information smuggling, covert communication, or command-and-control (C2) activities.
If validated as malicious, this could signal ICMP tunneling, unauthorized data transfer, or compromised endpoints requiring immediate investigation.
Cisco SA - Access to Anonymizer Services: networkEndpointNoneversion:1
This analytic detects attempts to access proxy-evasion or anonymizer services using Cisco Secure Access DNS and secure web proxy telemetry.
Users who reach anonymizer or proxy-evasion infrastructure are often trying to bypass corporate controls such as secure web gateway inspection, DLP monitoring, CASB visibility, and threat-detection systems. These services frequently establish encrypted tunnels that hide subsequent traffic from inspection.
Early identification helps security teams spot circumvention attempts before potential data exfiltration or follow-on malicious activity. Correlating DNS resolution and proxy session data strengthens confidence that access was intentional.
