Cisco ASA - Packet Capture Activity
This analytic detects execution of packet capture commands on Cisco ASA devices via CLI or ASDM. Adversaries may abuse the built-in packet capture functionality to perform network sniffing, intercept credentials…
Description
This analytic detects execution of packet capture commands on Cisco ASA devices via CLI or ASDM. Adversaries may abuse the built-in packet capture functionality to perform network sniffing, intercept credentials transmitted over the network, capture sensitive data in transit, or gather intelligence about network traffic patterns and internal communications. Packet captures can reveal usernames, passwords, session tokens, and confidential business data. The detection monitors for command execution events (message ID 111008 or 111010) containing "capture" commands, which are used to initiate packet capture sessions on specific interfaces or for specific traffic patterns on the ASA device. Investigate unauthorized packet capture activities, especially captures targeting sensitive interfaces (internal network segments, DMZ), captures configured to capture large volumes of traffic, captures with suspicious filter criteria, captures initiated by non-administrative accounts, or captures during unusual hours.
Detection logic
Detection requirements
- Platform
- IaaSLinuxmacOSNetwork DevicesWindows
The rule states no platform. This is derived from the 2 ATT&CK techniques it maps to.
- Log source category
- cisco_asa_logs
Known benign triggers
- Admins use packet captures for troubleshooting, performance monitoring, or security investigations. Verify against change management. Filter known admin accounts during maintenance windows.
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 |
|---|---|
| www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/security/asa-5500-x-series-next-generation-firewalls/118097-configure-asa-00.html | Only this detection cites it |
| www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/security/asa/asa-cli-reference/A-H/asa-command-ref-A-H/ca-cld-commands.html | Only this detection cites it |
| www.ncsc.gov.uk/static-assets/documents/malware-analysis-reports/RayInitiator-LINE-VIPER/ncsc-mar-rayinitiator-line-viper.pdf | 3 |
From the source
- At source
- Open at source
- Upstream identifier
- 7e9c3f8a-4b2d-4c5e-9a1f-6d8e5b3c2a9f
- Tagged by the source as
- ArcaneDoorSuspicious Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance ActivityNetworkapplicationSplunk CloudSplunk EnterpriseSplunk Enterprise Securitynetwork
Licence
- Published under
- Apache License 2.0Read the licence
- Attribution
- Required
- Obtained under
- Apache-2.0Read the origin licence
Authorship
- Written by
- Published
- Aug 26, 2026
- Version
- 1