Windows DNS Query Request To TinyUrl
The following analytic detects a process located in a potentially suspicious location making DNS queries to known URL shortening services, specifically tinyurl. URL shorteners are frequently used by threat actors to…
Description
The following analytic detects a process located in a potentially suspicious location making DNS queries to known URL shortening services, specifically tinyurl. URL shorteners are frequently used by threat actors to obfuscate malicious destinations, including phishing pages, malware distribution sites, or command-and-control (C2) endpoints. While tinyurl.com is a legitimate service, its use in enterprise environments—particularly by non-browser processes or scripts—should be considered suspicious, especially if correlated with subsequent outbound connections, file downloads, process file path or credential prompts. Analysts should investigate the source process, execution context, and destination domain to determine intent and risk.
Detection logic
Detection requirements
- Platform
- ESXiLinuxmacOSNetwork DevicesWindows
The rule states no platform. This is derived from the ATT&CK technique it maps to.
- Log source category
- sysmon_eventid_22
Known benign triggers
- Noise and false positive can be seen if the following instant messaging is allowed to use within corporate network. In this case, a filter is 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 |
|---|---|
| x.com/Unit42_Intel/status/1919418143476199869 | Only this detection cites it |
From the source
- At source
- Open at source
- Upstream identifier
- b1ea79da-719c-437c-acaf-5c93f838f425
- Tagged by the source as
- Malicious Inno Setup LoaderEndpointendpointSplunk 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