Windows Entra User Management Via Azure CLI
This analytic detects the usage of the Azure CLI to interact with user accounts such as creating or deleting a user. Adversaries create new users so that their malicious activity does not interrupt the normal…
Description
This analytic detects the usage of the Azure CLI to interact with user accounts such as creating or deleting a user. Adversaries create new users so that their malicious activity does not interrupt the normal functions of the compromised users and can remain undetected. While legitimate administrative use is expected, anomalous execution patterns, unexpected users, or unusual parent processes should be treated as potential indicators of compromise and investigated promptly.
Detection logic
Detection requirements
- Platform
- ContainersESXiIaaSIdentity ProviderLinuxmacOSNetwork DevicesOffice SuiteSaaSWindows
The rule states no platform. This is derived from the 3 ATT&CK techniques it maps to.
- Log source category
- crowdstrike_processrollup2sysmon_eventid_1windows_event_log_security_4688
Known benign triggers
- Legitimate IT administrators commonly use the Azure CLI for managing user accounts. Filter alerts to exclude approved administrative or automated user management activities.
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 |
|---|---|
| atomicredteam.io/persistence/T1136.003/#atomic-test-3---azure-ad---create-a-new-user-via-azure-cli | Only this detection cites it |
| github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/388942adbd9641f4dfdcf079d7efe9a75ec0ac43/atomics/T1136.003/T1136.003.yaml#L67 | Only this detection cites it |
| learn.microsoft.com/en-us/cli/azure/?view=azure-cli-latest | Only this detection cites it |
From the source
- At source
- Open at source
- Upstream identifier
- f6332409-abeb-42f8-b6a7-76201bdc7a0a
- Tagged by the source as
- Azure Active Directory PersistenceEndpointendpointSplunk 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
- Oct 13, 2026
- Version
- 2