Sub-technique of T1136 Create Account.View on attack.mitre.org
Adversaries may create a domain account to maintain access to victim systems. Domain accounts are those managed by Active Directory Domain Services where access and permissions are configured across systems and services that are part of that domain. Domain accounts can cover user, administrator, and service accounts. With a sufficient level of access, the net user /add /domain command can be used to create a domain account.
Such accounts may be used to establish secondary credentialed access that do not require persistent remote access tools to be deployed on the system.
Rules on DetectionCode tagged with T1136.002.
| Rule | Level | Log source |
|---|---|---|
| PSEXEC Remote Execution File Artefact | high | windows / file_event |
| Suspicious Windows ANONYMOUS LOGON Local Account Created | high | windows / NULL |
| Manipulation of User Computer or Group Security Principals Across AD | medium | windows / ps_script |
| New User Account Creation Attempt Via ADSI | medium | windows / ps_script |
| New User Account Creation Attempt Via ADSI in CommandLine | medium | windows / process_creation |
| Rule | Type | Risk | Data source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows Computer Account Changed to Domain Controller | TTP | NULL | Windows Event Log Security 4742 |
| Windows ESX Admins Group Creation Security Event | TTP | NULL | Windows Event Log Security 4727, Windows Event Log Security 4730, Windows Event Log Security 4737 |
| Windows ESX Admins Group Creation via Net | TTP | NULL | Sysmon EventID 1, Windows Event Log Security 4688, CrowdStrike ProcessRollup2 |
| Windows ESX Admins Group Creation via PowerShell | TTP | NULL | Powershell Script Block Logging 4104 |
| Windows Privileged Group Modification | TTP | NULL | Windows Event Log Security 4727, Windows Event Log Security 4731, Windows Event Log Security 4744, Windows Event Log Security 4749, Windows Event Log Security 4754, Windows Event Log Security 4756, Windows Event Log Security 4759, Windows Event Log Security 4783, Windows Event Log Security 4790 |
| Used by | Procedure example |
|---|---|
| GroupBlackByte | BlackByte created privileged domain accounts during intrusions. |
| GroupGALLIUM | GALLIUM created high-privileged domain user accounts to maintain access to victim networks. |
| GroupHAFNIUM | HAFNIUM has created domain accounts. |
| GroupMedusa Group | Medusa Group has created a domain account within the victim environment. |
| GroupWizard Spider | Wizard Spider has created and used new accounts within a victim's Active Directory environment to maintain persistence. |
| Used by | Procedure example |
|---|---|
| ToolEmpire | Empire has a module for creating a new domain user if permissions allow. |
| ToolNet | The |
| ToolPsExec | PsExec has the ability to remotely create accounts on target systems. |
| ToolPupy | Pupy can user PowerView to execute “net user” commands and create domain accounts. |
| Used by | Procedure example |
|---|---|
| Campaign2015 Ukraine Electric Power Attack | During the 2015 Ukraine Electric Power Attack, Sandworm Team created privileged domain accounts to be used for further exploitation and lateral movement. |
| Campaign2016 Ukraine Electric Power Attack | During the 2016 Ukraine Electric Power Attack, Sandworm Team created two new accounts, “admin” and “система” (System). The accounts were then assigned to a domain matching local operation and were delegated new privileges. |
Data from MITRE ATT&CK® (Enterprise). ATT&CK® is a registered trademark of The MITRE Corporation.
