Windows AD Short Lived Domain Controller SPN Attribute
The following analytic detects the temporary addition of a global catalog SPN or a DRS RPC SPN to an Active Directory computer object, indicative of a potential DCShadow attack. This detection leverages EventCode…
Description
The following analytic detects the temporary addition of a global catalog SPN or a DRS RPC SPN to an Active Directory computer object, indicative of a potential DCShadow attack. This detection leverages EventCode 5136 from the `wineventlog_security` data source, focusing on specific SPN attribute changes. This activity is significant as DCShadow attacks allow attackers with privileged access to register rogue Domain Controllers, enabling unauthorized changes to the AD infrastructure. If confirmed malicious, this could lead to unauthorized replication of changes, including credentials and keys, compromising the entire domain's security.
Detection logic
Detection requirements
- Platform
- Windows
The rule states no platform. This is derived from the ATT&CK technique it maps to.
- Log source category
- windows_event_log_security_4624windows_event_log_security_5136
Known benign triggers
- No false positives have been identified at this time.
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/T1207/ | 4 |
| blog.alsid.eu/dcshadow-explained-4510f52fc19d | Only this detection cites it |
| blog.netwrix.com/2022/09/28/dcshadow_attack/ | Only this detection cites it |
| gist.github.com/gentilkiwi/dcc132457408cf11ad2061340dcb53c2 | 3from 2 sources |
| www.dcshadow.com | 2 |
From the source
- At source
- Open at source
- Upstream identifier
- 57e27f27-369c-4df8-af08-e8c7ee8373d4
- Tagged by the source as
- Compromised Windows HostSneaky Active Directory Persistence TricksEndpointendpointSplunk 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