AWS SQS Queue Purge
Identifies when an AWS Simple Queue Service (SQS) queue is purged. Purging an SQS queue permanently deletes all messages currently in the queue. Adversaries may use this action to disrupt application workflows,…
Description
Identifies when an AWS Simple Queue Service (SQS) queue is purged. Purging an SQS queue permanently deletes all messages currently in the queue. Adversaries may use this action to disrupt application workflows, destroy operational data, or impair monitoring and alerting by removing messages that contain evidence of malicious activity.
Detection logic
Its licence does not clear it for publishing here
Sunturai publishes a detection's own text where the licence it arrived under has been reviewed and permits it, and Elastic License 2.0 has not. The query as its source wrote it, its canonical form and the hash that pins this revision are in the workspace record.
Detection requirements
- Platform
- ContainersESXiIaaSIdentity ProviderLinuxmacOSNetwork DevicesOffice SuiteSaaSWindows
The rule states no platform. This is derived from the 2 ATT&CK techniques it maps to.
- Log source category
- event_index
Known benign triggers
- Authorized administrators or automated workflows may purge SQS queues for legitimate operational reasons, such as clearing stale messages, resetting test environments, or performing approved maintenance. Verify that the action aligns with documented procedures and expected operational behavior.
MITRE ATT&CK mappings
0 exclusive techniques.This is coverage no other published rule has; it is not this rule's total technique count.
References
| Reference | Cited by |
|---|---|
| docs.aws.amazon.com/AWSSimpleQueueService/latest/APIReference/API_PurgeQueue.html | Only this detection cites it |
| hackingthe.cloud/aws/exploitation/Misconfigured_Resource-Based_Policies/exploting_public_resources_attack_playbook/ | 5 |
From the source
- At source
- Open at source
- Upstream identifier
- bab88bb8-cdd9-11ef-bd9a-f661ea17fbcd
- Tagged by the source as
- Data Source: Amazon Web ServicesData Source: AWSData Source: AWS CloudTrailData Source: AWS SQSDomain: CloudNoise: LowPerformance: NormalPlatform: AWSResources: Investigation GuideRule Type: Custom Query (KQL)Service: AWS SQSTactic: Defense EvasionUse Case: Log AuditingUse Case: Threat Detection
Licence
- Published under
- Elastic License 2.0Read the licence
- Attribution
- Required
Authorship
- Written by
- Published
- Sep 20, 2026
- Version
- 3