Azure AD Successful PowerShell Authentication
The following analytic identifies a successful authentication event against an Azure AD tenant using PowerShell cmdlets. This detection leverages Azure AD SignInLogs to identify successful logins where the…
Description
The following analytic identifies a successful authentication event against an Azure AD tenant using PowerShell cmdlets. This detection leverages Azure AD SignInLogs to identify successful logins where the appDisplayName is "Microsoft Azure PowerShell." This activity is significant because it is uncommon for regular, non-administrative users to authenticate using PowerShell, and it may indicate enumeration and discovery techniques by an attacker. If confirmed malicious, this activity could allow attackers to perform extensive reconnaissance, potentially leading to privilege escalation or further exploitation within the Azure environment.
Detection logic
Detection requirements
- Platform
- IaaSIdentity ProviderOffice SuitePRESaaS
The rule states no platform. This is derived from the 2 ATT&CK techniques it maps to.
- Log source category
- azure_active_directory
Known benign triggers
- Administrative users will likely use PowerShell commandlets to troubleshoot and maintain the environment. Filter as needed.
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/T1078/004/ | 15from 2 sources |
| docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/module/azuread/connect-azuread?view=azureadps-2.0 | Only this detection cites it |
| github.com/swisskyrepo/PayloadsAllTheThings/blob/master/Methodology%20and%20Resources/Cloud%20-%20Azure%20Pentest.md | 2 |
| securitycafe.ro/2022/04/29/pentesting-azure-recon-techniques/ | Only this detection cites it |
From the source
- At source
- Open at source
- Upstream identifier
- 62f10052-d7b3-4e48-b57b-56f8e3ac7ceb
- Tagged by the source as
- Azure Active Directory Account TakeoverAzure Active DirectorycloudSplunk CloudSplunk EnterpriseSplunk Enterprise Securityidentity
Licence
- Published under
- Apache License 2.0Read the licence
- Attribution
- Required
- Obtained under
- Apache-2.0Read the origin licence
Authorship
- Published
- Aug 26, 2026
- Version
- 1