ASL AWS New MFA Method Registered For User
The following analytic identifies the registration of a new Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) method for an AWS account, as logged through Amazon Security Lake (ASL). It detects this activity by monitoring the…
Description
The following analytic identifies the registration of a new Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) method for an AWS account, as logged through Amazon Security Lake (ASL). It detects this activity by monitoring the `CreateVirtualMFADevice` API operation within ASL logs. This behavior is significant because adversaries who gain unauthorized access to an AWS account may register a new MFA method to maintain persistence. If confirmed malicious, this activity could allow attackers to secure their access, making it harder to detect and remove their presence from the compromised environment.
Detection logic
Detection requirements
- Platform
- IaaSIdentity ProviderLinuxmacOSOffice SuiteSaaSWindows
The rule states no platform. This is derived from the ATT&CK technique it maps to.
- Log source category
- asl_aws_cloudtrail
Known benign triggers
- Newly onboarded users who are registering an MFA method for the first time will also trigger this detection.
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 |
|---|---|
| attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1556/ | 7 |
| attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1556/006/ | 6 |
| aws.amazon.com/blogs/security/you-can-now-assign-multiple-mfa-devices-in-iam/ | 2 |
| twitter.com/jhencinski/status/1618660062352007174 | 5 |
From the source
- At source
- Open at source
- Upstream identifier
- 33ae0931-2a03-456b-b1d7-b016c5557fbd
- Tagged by the source as
- AWS Identity and Access Management Account TakeoverAWS AccountcloudSplunk CloudSplunk EnterpriseSplunk Enterprise Securityidentity
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