Entra ID User Signed In from Unusual Device
Identifies when a Microsoft Entra ID user signs in from a device that is not typically used by the user, which may indicate potential compromise or unauthorized access attempts. This rule detects unusual sign-in activity by comparing the device used for the sign-in against the user's typical device usage patterns. Adversaries may create and register a new device to obtain a Primary Refresh Token (PRT) and maintain persistent access.
Elastic rule (View on GitHub)
1[metadata]
2creation_date = "2025/06/16"
3integration = ["azure"]
4maturity = "production"
5updated_date = "2025/06/16"
6
7[rule]
8author = ["Elastic"]
9description = """
10Identifies when a Microsoft Entra ID user signs in from a device that is not typically used by the user, which may
11indicate potential compromise or unauthorized access attempts. This rule detects unusual sign-in activity by comparing
12the device used for the sign-in against the user's typical device usage patterns. Adversaries may create and register a
13new device to obtain a Primary Refresh Token (PRT) and maintain persistent access.
14"""
15from = "now-9m"
16index = ["filebeat-*", "logs-azure.signinlogs-*"]
17language = "kuery"
18license = "Elastic License v2"
19name = "Entra ID User Signed In from Unusual Device"
20note = """## Triage and analysis
21
22### Investigating Entra ID User Signed In from Unusual Device
23
24This rule detects when a Microsoft Entra ID user signs in from a device that is not typically used by the user, which may indicate potential compromise or unauthorized access attempts. This rule detects unusual sign-in activity by comparing the device used for the sign-in against the user's typical device usage patterns. Adversaries may create and register a new device to obtain a Primary Refresh Token (PRT) and maintain persistent access.
25
26### Possible investigation steps
27- Review the `azure.signinlogs.properties.user_principal_name` field to identify the user associated with the sign-in.
28- Check the `azure.signinlogs.properties.device_detail.device_id` field to identify the device used for the sign-in.
29- Review `azure.signinlogs.properties.incoming_token_type` to determine what tpe of security token was used for the sign-in, such as a Primary Refresh Token (PRT).
30- Examine `azure.signinlogs.category` to determine if these were non-interactive or interactive sign-ins.
31- Check the geolocation of the sign-in by reviewing `source.geo.country_name` and `source.geo.city_name` to identify the location of the device used for the sign-in. If these are unusual for the user, it may indicate a potential compromise.
32- Review `azure.signinlogs.properties.app_id` to determine which client application was used for the sign-in. If the application is not recognized or expected, it may indicate unauthorized access. Adversaries use first-party client IDs to blend in with legitimate traffic.
33- Examine `azure.signinlogs.properties.resource_id` to determine what resource the security token has in scope and/or is requesting access to. If the resource is not recognized or expected, it may indicate unauthorized access. Excessive access to Graph API is common post-compromise behavior.
34- Review the identity protection risk status by checking `azure.signinlogs.properties.risk_level` and `azure.signinlogs.properties.risk_detail` to determine if the sign-in was flagged as risky by Entra ID Protection.
35
36### False positive analysis
37- Legitimate users may sign in from new devices, such as when using a new laptop or mobile device. If this is expected behavior, consider adjusting the rule or adding exceptions for specific users or device IDs.
38- Environments where users frequently change devices, such as in a corporate setting with rotating hardware, may generate false positives.
39- Users may use both an endpoint and mobile device for sign-ins, which could trigger this rule.
40
41### Response and remediation
42- If the sign-in is confirmed to be suspicious or unauthorized, take immediate action to revoke the access token and prevent further access.
43- Disable the user account temporarily to prevent any potential compromise or unauthorized access.
44- Review the user's recent sign-in activity and access patterns to identify any potential compromise or unauthorized access.
45- If the user account is compromised, initiate a password reset and enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA) for the user.
46- Review the conditional access policies in place to ensure they are sufficient to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive resources.
47- Identify the registered Entra ID device by reviewing `azure.signinlogs.properties.device_detail.display_name` and confirm it is expected for the user or organization. If it is not expected, consider removing the device registration.
48- Consider adding exceptions for verified devices that are known to be used by the user to reduce false-positives.
49"""
50risk_score = 21
51rule_id = "72c91fc0-4ac0-11f0-811f-f661ea17fbcd"
52setup = """#### Required Microsoft Entra ID Sign-In Logs
53This rule requires the Azure integration with Microsoft Entra ID Sign-In logs to be enabled and configured to collect audit and activity logs via Azure Event Hub.
54"""
55severity = "low"
56tags = [
57 "Domain: Cloud",
58 "Domain: Identity",
59 "Use Case: Threat Detection",
60 "Tactic: Persistence",
61 "Data Source: Azure",
62 "Data Source: Microsoft Entra ID",
63 "Data Source: Microsoft Entra ID Sign-in Logs",
64 "Resources: Investigation Guide",
65]
66timestamp_override = "event.ingested"
67type = "new_terms"
68
69query = '''
70event.dataset: "azure.signinlogs" and
71 event.category: "authentication" and
72 azure.signinlogs.properties.user_type: "Member" and
73 azure.signinlogs.properties.token_protection_status_details.sign_in_session_status: "unbound" and
74 not azure.signinlogs.properties.device_detail.device_id: "" and
75 azure.signinlogs.properties.user_principal_name: *
76'''
77
78[rule.investigation_fields]
79field_names = [
80 "azure.signinlogs.properties.user_principal_name",
81 "azure.signinlogs.properties.device_detail.device_id",
82 "azure.signinlogs.properties.incoming_token_type",
83 "azure.signinlogs.category",
84 "source.geo.country_name",
85 "source.geo.city_name",
86 "source.address",
87 "azure.signinlogs.properties.app_id",
88 "azure.signinlogs.properties.resource_id",
89 "azure.signinlogs.properties.risk_level",
90 "azure.signinlogs.properties.risk_detail",
91]
92
93[[rule.threat]]
94framework = "MITRE ATT&CK"
95[[rule.threat.technique]]
96id = "T1098"
97name = "Account Manipulation"
98reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1098/"
99[[rule.threat.technique.subtechnique]]
100id = "T1098.005"
101name = "Device Registration"
102reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1098/005/"
103
104
105
106[rule.threat.tactic]
107id = "TA0003"
108name = "Persistence"
109reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0003/"
110[[rule.threat]]
111framework = "MITRE ATT&CK"
112[[rule.threat.technique]]
113id = "T1078"
114name = "Valid Accounts"
115reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1078/"
116[[rule.threat.technique.subtechnique]]
117id = "T1078.004"
118name = "Cloud Accounts"
119reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1078/004/"
120
121
122
123[rule.threat.tactic]
124id = "TA0001"
125name = "Initial Access"
126reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0001/"
127
128[rule.new_terms]
129field = "new_terms_fields"
130value = [
131 "azure.signinlogs.properties.user_principal_name",
132 "azure.signinlogs.properties.device_detail.device_id",
133]
134[[rule.new_terms.history_window_start]]
135field = "history_window_start"
136value = "now-7d"
Triage and analysis
Investigating Entra ID User Signed In from Unusual Device
This rule detects when a Microsoft Entra ID user signs in from a device that is not typically used by the user, which may indicate potential compromise or unauthorized access attempts. This rule detects unusual sign-in activity by comparing the device used for the sign-in against the user's typical device usage patterns. Adversaries may create and register a new device to obtain a Primary Refresh Token (PRT) and maintain persistent access.
Possible investigation steps
- Review the
azure.signinlogs.properties.user_principal_name
field to identify the user associated with the sign-in. - Check the
azure.signinlogs.properties.device_detail.device_id
field to identify the device used for the sign-in. - Review
azure.signinlogs.properties.incoming_token_type
to determine what tpe of security token was used for the sign-in, such as a Primary Refresh Token (PRT). - Examine
azure.signinlogs.category
to determine if these were non-interactive or interactive sign-ins. - Check the geolocation of the sign-in by reviewing
source.geo.country_name
andsource.geo.city_name
to identify the location of the device used for the sign-in. If these are unusual for the user, it may indicate a potential compromise. - Review
azure.signinlogs.properties.app_id
to determine which client application was used for the sign-in. If the application is not recognized or expected, it may indicate unauthorized access. Adversaries use first-party client IDs to blend in with legitimate traffic. - Examine
azure.signinlogs.properties.resource_id
to determine what resource the security token has in scope and/or is requesting access to. If the resource is not recognized or expected, it may indicate unauthorized access. Excessive access to Graph API is common post-compromise behavior. - Review the identity protection risk status by checking
azure.signinlogs.properties.risk_level
andazure.signinlogs.properties.risk_detail
to determine if the sign-in was flagged as risky by Entra ID Protection.
False positive analysis
- Legitimate users may sign in from new devices, such as when using a new laptop or mobile device. If this is expected behavior, consider adjusting the rule or adding exceptions for specific users or device IDs.
- Environments where users frequently change devices, such as in a corporate setting with rotating hardware, may generate false positives.
- Users may use both an endpoint and mobile device for sign-ins, which could trigger this rule.
Response and remediation
- If the sign-in is confirmed to be suspicious or unauthorized, take immediate action to revoke the access token and prevent further access.
- Disable the user account temporarily to prevent any potential compromise or unauthorized access.
- Review the user's recent sign-in activity and access patterns to identify any potential compromise or unauthorized access.
- If the user account is compromised, initiate a password reset and enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA) for the user.
- Review the conditional access policies in place to ensure they are sufficient to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive resources.
- Identify the registered Entra ID device by reviewing
azure.signinlogs.properties.device_detail.display_name
and confirm it is expected for the user or organization. If it is not expected, consider removing the device registration. - Consider adding exceptions for verified devices that are known to be used by the user to reduce false-positives.
Related rules
- BloodHound Suite User-Agents Detected
- Microsoft Entra ID Rare Authentication Requirement for Principal User
- Microsoft Entra ID Service Principal Credentials Added by Rare User
- Microsoft Entra ID High Risk Sign-in
- Microsoft Entra ID SharePoint Access for User Principal via Auth Broker