Cisco Network Interface Modifications
This analytic detects the creation or modification of network interfaces on Cisco devices, which could indicate an attacker establishing persistence or preparing for lateral movement. After gaining initial access to…
Description
This analytic detects the creation or modification of network interfaces on Cisco devices, which could indicate an attacker establishing persistence or preparing for lateral movement. After gaining initial access to network devices, threat actors like Static Tundra often create new interfaces (particularly loopback interfaces) to establish covert communication channels or maintain persistence. This detection specifically looks for the configuration of new interfaces, interface state changes, and the assignment of IP addresses to interfaces. These activities are particularly concerning when they involve unusual interface names or descriptions containing suspicious terms.
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
- cisco_ios_logs
Known benign triggers
- Legitimate network interface configuration changes may trigger this detection during routine network maintenance or initial device setup. Network administrators often need to create or modify interfaces as part of normal operations. To reduce false positives, consider implementing a baseline of expected administrative activities, including approved administrative usernames, typical times for interface configuration changes, and scheduled maintenance windows. You may also want to create a lookup table of approved interface naming conventions and filter out alerts for standard interface configurations.
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 |
|---|---|
| blog.talosintelligence.com/static-tundra/ | 9 |
| tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-20180328-smi2 | 6 |
| www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/ios-xml/ios/interface/command/ir-cr-book/ir-i1.html#wp1389942834 | Only this detection cites it |
From the source
- At source
- Open at source
- Upstream identifier
- 61ae09c2-079e-44b1-8be0-74e35c5a679e
- Tagged by the source as
- Cisco Smart Install Remote Code Execution CVE-2018-0171NetworknetworkSplunk CloudSplunk EnterpriseSplunk Enterprise Securitynetwork
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