AWS Discovery API Calls via CLI from a Single Resource
Detects when a single AWS resource is running multiple read-only, discovery API calls in a 10-second window. This behavior could indicate an actor attempting to discover the AWS infrastructure using compromised…
Description
Detects when a single AWS resource is running multiple read-only, discovery API calls in a 10-second window. This behavior could indicate an actor attempting to discover the AWS infrastructure using compromised credentials or a compromised instance. Adversaries may use this information to identify potential targets for further exploitation or to gain a better understanding of the target's infrastructure.
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
- ESXiIaaSIdentity ProviderLinuxmacOSOffice SuiteSaaSWindows
The rule states no platform. This is derived from the 3 ATT&CK techniques it maps to.
Known benign triggers
- Administrators or automated systems may legitimately perform multiple `Describe`, `List`, `Get` and `Generate` API calls in a short time frame. Verify the user identity and the purpose of the API calls to determine if the behavior is expected.
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 |
|---|---|
| kudelskisecurity.com/research/investigating-two-variants-of-the-trivy-supply-chain-compromise | 6 |
| stratus-red-team.cloud/attack-techniques/AWS/aws.discovery.ec2-enumerate-from-instance/ | Only this detection cites it |
From the source
- At source
- Open at source
- Upstream identifier
- 74f45152-9aee-11ef-b0a5-f661ea17fbcd
- Tagged by the source as
- Data Source: AWSData Source: AWS CloudfrontData Source: AWS CloudTrailData Source: AWS DynamoDBData Source: AWS EC2Data Source: AWS Elastic Load BalancingData Source: AWS IAMData Source: AWS KMSData Source: AWS LambdaData Source: AWS OrganizationsData Source: AWS RDSData Source: AWS S3Data Source: AWS SESData Source: AWS STSDomain: CloudNoise: MediumPerformance: NormalPlatform: AWSResources: Investigation GuideRule Type: ES|QLService: AWS DynamoDBService: AWS EC2Service: AWS IAMService: AWS KMSService: AWS LambdaService: AWS RDSService: AWS S3Service: AWS SESService: AWS STSTactic: DiscoveryUse Case: Threat Detection
Licence
- Published under
- Elastic License 2.0Read the licence
- Attribution
- Required
Authorship
- Written by
- Published
- Sep 20, 2026
- Version
- 3