Cisco NVM - Suspicious Network Connection to IP Lookup Service API
This analytic identifies non-browser processes reaching out to public IP lookup or geolocation services, such as `ipinfo.io`, `icanhazip.com`, `ip-api.com`, and others. These domains are commonly used by legitimate…
Description
This analytic identifies non-browser processes reaching out to public IP lookup or geolocation services, such as `ipinfo.io`, `icanhazip.com`, `ip-api.com`, and others. These domains are commonly used by legitimate tools, but their usage outside of browsers may indicate network reconnaissance, virtual machine detection, or staging by malware. This activity is observed in post-exploitation frameworks, stealer malware, and advanced threat actor campaigns. The detection relies on Cisco Network Visibility Module (NVM) telemetry and excludes known browser processes to reduce noise.
Detection logic
Detection requirements
- Platform
- ESXiLinuxmacOSNetwork DevicesPREWindows
The rule states no platform. This is derived from the 2 ATT&CK techniques it maps to.
- Log source category
- cisco_network_visibility_module_flow_data
Known benign triggers
- Internal scripts or agents performing network checks may query IP geolocation services. Tune by excluding known tools or adding internal allowlists for destination domains or process names and commandlines.
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 |
|---|---|
| github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/network_connection/net_connection_win_domain_external_ip_lookup.yml | Only this detection cites it |
| www.cisa.gov/news-events/cybersecurity-advisories/aa20-302a | 2from 2 sources |
From the source
- At source
- Open at source
- Upstream identifier
- 568cb83e-d79e-4a23-85ec-6e1f6c30cb2f
- Tagged by the source as
- BlankGrabber StealerCastle RATCisco Network Visibility Module AnalyticsEndpointendpointSplunk CloudSplunk EnterpriseSplunk Enterprise Securityendpoint
Licence
- Published under
- Apache License 2.0Read the licence
- Attribution
- Required
- Obtained under
- Apache-2.0Read the origin licence
Authorship
- Published
- Oct 6, 2026
- Version
- 2