Attempt to Deactivate an Okta Application

calendar Dec 9, 2024 · Use Case: Identity and Access Audit Data Source: Okta Tactic: Impact  ·
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Detects attempts to deactivate an Okta application. An adversary may attempt to modify, deactivate, or delete an Okta application in order to weaken an organization's security controls or disrupt their business operations.

Elastic rule (View on GitHub)

 1[metadata]
 2creation_date = "2020/11/06"
 3integration = ["okta"]
 4maturity = "production"
 5updated_date = "2024/12/09"
 6min_stack_version = "8.15.0"
 7min_stack_comments = "Breaking change at 8.15.0 for the Okta Integration."
 8
 9[rule]
10author = ["Elastic"]
11description = """
12Detects attempts to deactivate an Okta application. An adversary may attempt to modify, deactivate, or delete an Okta
13application in order to weaken an organization's security controls or disrupt their business operations.
14"""
15false_positives = [
16    """
17    Consider adding exceptions to this rule to filter false positives if your organization's Okta applications are
18    regularly deactivated and the behavior is expected.
19    """,
20]
21index = ["filebeat-*", "logs-okta*"]
22language = "kuery"
23license = "Elastic License v2"
24name = "Attempt to Deactivate an Okta Application"
25note = """## Triage and analysis
26
27### Investigating Attempt to Deactivate an Okta Application
28
29This rule detects attempts to deactivate an Okta application. Unauthorized deactivation could lead to disruption of services and pose a significant risk to the organization.
30
31#### Possible investigation steps:
32- Identify the actor associated with the deactivation attempt by examining the `okta.actor.id`, `okta.actor.type`, `okta.actor.alternate_id`, and `okta.actor.display_name` fields.
33- Determine the client used by the actor. Review the `okta.client.ip`, `okta.client.user_agent.raw_user_agent`, `okta.client.zone`, `okta.client.device`, and `okta.client.id` fields.
34- If the client is a device, check the `okta.device.id`, `okta.device.name`, `okta.device.os_platform`, `okta.device.os_version`, and `okta.device.managed` fields.
35- Understand the context of the event from the `okta.debug_context.debug_data` and `okta.authentication_context` fields.
36- Check the `okta.outcome.result` and `okta.outcome.reason` fields to see if the attempt was successful or failed.
37- Review the past activities of the actor involved in this action by checking their previous actions logged in the `okta.target` field.
38- Analyze the `okta.transaction.id` and `okta.transaction.type` fields to understand the context of the transaction.
39- Evaluate the actions that happened just before and after this event in the `okta.event_type` field to help understand the full context of the activity.
40
41### False positive analysis:
42- It might be a false positive if the action was part of a planned activity, performed by an authorized person, or if the `okta.outcome.result` field shows a failure.
43- An unsuccessful attempt might also indicate an authorized user having trouble rather than a malicious activity.
44
45### Response and remediation:
46- If unauthorized deactivation attempts are confirmed, initiate the incident response process.
47- Block the IP address or device used in the attempts if they appear suspicious, using the data from the `okta.client.ip` and `okta.device.id` fields.
48- Reset the user's password and enforce MFA re-enrollment, if applicable.
49- Conduct a review of Okta policies and ensure they are in accordance with security best practices.
50- If the deactivated application was crucial for business operations, coordinate with the relevant team to reactivate it and minimize the impact.
51
52## Setup
53
54The Okta Fleet integration, Filebeat module, or similarly structured data is required to be compatible with this rule.
55"""
56references = [
57    "https://help.okta.com/en/prod/Content/Topics/Apps/Apps_Apps.htm",
58    "https://developer.okta.com/docs/reference/api/system-log/",
59    "https://developer.okta.com/docs/reference/api/event-types/",
60    "https://www.elastic.co/security-labs/testing-okta-visibility-and-detection-dorothy",
61    "https://www.elastic.co/security-labs/monitoring-okta-threats-with-elastic-security",
62    "https://www.elastic.co/security-labs/starter-guide-to-understanding-okta",
63]
64risk_score = 21
65rule_id = "edb91186-1c7e-4db8-b53e-bfa33a1a0a8a"
66severity = "low"
67tags = ["Use Case: Identity and Access Audit", "Data Source: Okta", "Tactic: Impact"]
68timestamp_override = "event.ingested"
69type = "query"
70
71query = '''
72event.dataset:okta.system and event.action:application.lifecycle.deactivate
73'''
74
75
76[[rule.threat]]
77framework = "MITRE ATT&CK"
78[[rule.threat.technique]]
79id = "T1489"
80name = "Service Stop"
81reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1489/"
82
83
84[rule.threat.tactic]
85id = "TA0040"
86name = "Impact"
87reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0040/"

Triage and analysis

Investigating Attempt to Deactivate an Okta Application

This rule detects attempts to deactivate an Okta application. Unauthorized deactivation could lead to disruption of services and pose a significant risk to the organization.

Possible investigation steps:

  • Identify the actor associated with the deactivation attempt by examining the okta.actor.id, okta.actor.type, okta.actor.alternate_id, and okta.actor.display_name fields.
  • Determine the client used by the actor. Review the okta.client.ip, okta.client.user_agent.raw_user_agent, okta.client.zone, okta.client.device, and okta.client.id fields.
  • If the client is a device, check the okta.device.id, okta.device.name, okta.device.os_platform, okta.device.os_version, and okta.device.managed fields.
  • Understand the context of the event from the okta.debug_context.debug_data and okta.authentication_context fields.
  • Check the okta.outcome.result and okta.outcome.reason fields to see if the attempt was successful or failed.
  • Review the past activities of the actor involved in this action by checking their previous actions logged in the okta.target field.
  • Analyze the okta.transaction.id and okta.transaction.type fields to understand the context of the transaction.
  • Evaluate the actions that happened just before and after this event in the okta.event_type field to help understand the full context of the activity.

False positive analysis:

  • It might be a false positive if the action was part of a planned activity, performed by an authorized person, or if the okta.outcome.result field shows a failure.
  • An unsuccessful attempt might also indicate an authorized user having trouble rather than a malicious activity.

Response and remediation:

  • If unauthorized deactivation attempts are confirmed, initiate the incident response process.
  • Block the IP address or device used in the attempts if they appear suspicious, using the data from the okta.client.ip and okta.device.id fields.
  • Reset the user's password and enforce MFA re-enrollment, if applicable.
  • Conduct a review of Okta policies and ensure they are in accordance with security best practices.
  • If the deactivated application was crucial for business operations, coordinate with the relevant team to reactivate it and minimize the impact.

Setup

The Okta Fleet integration, Filebeat module, or similarly structured data is required to be compatible with this rule.

References

Related rules

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