Windows Multiple Users Fail To Authenticate Wth ExplicitCredentials
The following analytic identifies a source user failing to authenticate with 30 unique users using explicit credentials on a host. It leverages Windows Event 4648, which is generated when a process attempts an…
Description
The following analytic identifies a source user failing to authenticate with 30 unique users using explicit credentials on a host. It leverages Windows Event 4648, which is generated when a process attempts an account logon by explicitly specifying account credentials. This detection is significant as it may indicate a Password Spraying attack, where an adversary attempts to gain initial access or elevate privileges within an Active Directory environment. If confirmed malicious, this activity could lead to unauthorized access, privilege escalation, and potential compromise of sensitive information.
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_4648
Known benign triggers
- A source user failing attempting to authenticate multiple users on a host is not a common behavior for regular systems. Some applications, however, may exhibit this behavior in which case sets of users hosts can be added to an allow list. Possible false positive scenarios include systems where several users connect to like Mail servers, identity providers, remote desktop services, Citrix, etc.
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/T1110/003/ | 40 |
| docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/threat-protection/auditing/basic-audit-logon-events | 6 |
| docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/threat-protection/auditing/event-4648 | 2 |
From the source
- At source
- Open at source
- Upstream identifier
- e61918fa-9ca4-11eb-836c-acde48001122
- Tagged by the source as
- Active Directory Password SprayingInsider ThreatVolt TyphoonEndpointendpointSplunk 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