GCP Unusual Number of Failed Authentications From Ip
The following analytic identifies a single source IP failing to authenticate into Google Workspace with multiple valid users, potentially indicating a Password Spraying attack. It uses Google Workspace login failure…
Description
The following analytic identifies a single source IP failing to authenticate into Google Workspace with multiple valid users, potentially indicating a Password Spraying attack. It uses Google Workspace login failure events and calculates the standard deviation for source IPs, applying the 3-sigma rule to detect unusual failed authentication attempts. This activity is significant as it may signal an adversary attempting to gain initial access or elevate privileges. If confirmed malicious, this could lead to unauthorized access, data breaches, or further exploitation within the environment.
Detection logic
Detection requirements
- Platform
- ContainersESXiIaaSIdentity ProviderLinuxmacOSNetwork DevicesOffice SuitePRESaaSWindows
The rule states no platform. This is derived from the 2 ATT&CK techniques it maps to.
- Log source category
- google_workspace
Known benign triggers
- No known false positives for this detection. Please review this alert
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/T1110/003/ | 40 |
| cloud.google.com/blog/products/identity-security/how-google-cloud-can-help-stop-credential-stuffing-attacks | 2 |
| www.blackhillsinfosec.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Breaching-the-Cloud-Perimeter-Slides.pdf | 2 |
| www.slideshare.net/dafthack/ok-google-how-do-i-red-team-gsuite | 2 |
From the source
- At source
- Open at source
- Upstream identifier
- bd8097ed-958a-4873-87d9-44f2b4d85705
- Tagged by the source as
- GCP Account TakeoverGoogle Cloud Platform tenantcloudSplunk CloudSplunk EnterpriseSplunk Enterprise Securitythreat
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