Unusual Number of Computer Service Tickets Requested
The following analytic identifies an unusual number of computer service ticket requests from a single source, leveraging Event ID 4769, "A Kerberos service ticket was requested." It uses statistical analysis,…
Description
The following analytic identifies an unusual number of computer service ticket requests from a single source, leveraging Event ID 4769, "A Kerberos service ticket was requested." It uses statistical analysis, including standard deviation and the 3-sigma rule, to detect anomalies in service ticket requests. This activity is significant as it may indicate malicious behavior such as lateral movement, malware staging, or reconnaissance. If confirmed malicious, an attacker could gain unauthorized access to multiple endpoints, facilitating further compromise and potential data exfiltration.
Detection logic
Detection requirements
- Platform
- ContainersESXiIaaSIdentity ProviderLinuxmacOSNetwork DevicesOffice SuiteSaaSWindows
The rule states no platform. This is derived from the ATT&CK technique it maps to.
- Log source category
- windows_event_log_security_4769
Known benign triggers
- An single endpoint requesting a large number of computer service tickets is not common behavior. Possible false positive scenarios include but are not limited to vulnerability scanners, administration systeams and missconfigured systems.
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/ | 8from 2 sources |
From the source
- At source
- Open at source
- Upstream identifier
- ac3b81c0-52f4-11ec-ac44-acde48001122
- Tagged by the source as
- Active Directory Kerberos AttacksActive Directory Lateral MovementActive Directory Privilege EscalationScattered Lapsus$ HuntersEndpointendpointSplunk CloudSplunk EnterpriseSplunk Enterprise Securityendpoint
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