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AWS IAM Virtual MFA Device Registration Attempt with Session Token

Detects attempts to create or enable a Virtual MFA device (CreateVirtualMFADevice, EnableMFADevice) using temporary AWS credentials (access keys beginning with ASIA). Session credentials are short-lived and tied to…

Description

Detects attempts to create or enable a Virtual MFA device (CreateVirtualMFADevice, EnableMFADevice) using temporary AWS credentials (access keys beginning with ASIA). Session credentials are short-lived and tied to existing authenticated sessions, so using them to register or enable MFA devices is unusual. Adversaries who compromise temporary credentials may abuse this behavior to establish persistence by attaching new MFA devices to maintain access to high-privilege accounts despite key rotation or password resets.

Detection logic

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Detection requirements

Platform
ContainersESXiIaaSIdentity ProviderLinuxmacOSNetwork DevicesOffice SuiteSaaSWindows

The rule states no platform. This is derived from the 3 ATT&CK techniques it maps to.

Log source category
event_index

Known benign triggers

  • Some legitimate administrative workflows or CI/CD automation pipelines may temporarily configure or re-enable MFA devices using session-based credentials. Validate the calling identity’s purpose, source IP, and user agent to confirm whether this activity was authorized. This rule automatically excludes console login sessions, which filters out expected MFA operations performed via the AWS Management Console.

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