AWS RDS DB Snapshot Created

ELASTIC detection rule by Elastic · Elastic License v2

Identifies when an AWS RDS DB Snapshot is created. This can be used to evade defenses by allowing an attacker to bypass access controls or cover their tracks by reverting an instance to a previous state. This is a [building block rule](https://www.elastic.co/guide/en/security/current/building-block-rule.html) and does not generate alerts on its own. It is meant to be used for correlation with other rules to detect suspicious activity. To generate alerts, create a rule that uses this signal as a building block.

[metadata]
bypass_bbr_timing = true
creation_date = "2024/06/22"
integration = ["aws"]
maturity = "production"
updated_date = "2026/08/05"

[rule]
author = ["Elastic"]
building_block_type = "default"
description = """
Identifies when an AWS RDS DB Snapshot is created. This can be used to evade defenses by allowing an attacker to bypass access controls
or cover their tracks by reverting an instance to a previous state. This is a [building block
rule](https://www.elastic.co/guide/en/security/current/building-block-rule.html) and does not generate alerts on
its own. It is meant to be used for correlation with other rules to detect suspicious activity. To generate alerts, create a
rule that uses this signal as a building block.
"""
false_positives = [
    """
    Legitimate manual or automated snapshots created for backups can trigger this rule. Ensure that the snapshots are authorized and align with your organization's policies.
    """,
]
from = "now-60m"
index = ["filebeat-*", "logs-aws.cloudtrail-*"]
interval = "10m"
language = "kuery"
license = "Elastic License v2"
name = "AWS RDS DB Snapshot Created"
risk_score = 21
rule_id = "68c5c9d1-38e5-48bb-b1b2-8b5951d39738"
severity = "low"
tags = [
    "Domain: Cloud",
    "Platform: AWS",
    "Data Source: AWS CloudTrail",
    "Service: AWS RDS",
    "Tactic: Defense Evasion",
    "Rule Type: BBR",
]
timestamp_override = "event.ingested"
type = "query"

query = '''
event.dataset: "aws.cloudtrail" and event.provider: "rds.amazonaws.com" 
    and event.action: ("CreateDBSnapshot" or "CreateDBClusterSnapshot") and event.outcome: "success" 
    and not user_agent.original: (*Terraform* or *Pulumi*)
'''


[[rule.threat]]
framework = "MITRE ATT&CK"
[[rule.threat.technique]]
id = "T1578"
name = "Modify Cloud Compute Infrastructure"
reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1578/"
[[rule.threat.technique.subtechnique]]
id = "T1578.001"
name = "Create Snapshot"
reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1578/001/"


[rule.threat.tactic]
id = "TA0005"
name = "Defense Evasion"
reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0005/"

[[ currentRule.title && currentRule.title.length > 60 ? currentRule.title.slice(0, 60) + '…' : currentRule.title ]]

3f4155c2-6ca7-4417-8aa6-7fd5e7b610b7

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Executable code, not a declarative rule

This submission is arbitrary [[ currentRule.format ? currentRule.format.toUpperCase() : '' ]] code, not a declarative detection rule — review it as you would any script before running it, and note that it cannot be safely aggregated or auto-executed alongside YARA/Sigma/Suricata/CRS rules.

Rejected pattern present

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Format & documentation suggestions

Not a security issue — this rule is valid and was accepted as-is. These are optional fields/conventions its own format recommends, mainly affecting its quality score and how well it documents itself for other reviewers.

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