O365 Privileged Graph API Permission Assigned

SPLUNK detection rule by Mauricio Velazco, Splunk · Apache-2.0

The following analytic detects the assignment of critical Graph API permissions in Azure AD using the O365 Unified Audit Log. It focuses on permissions such as Application.ReadWrite.All, AppRoleAssignment.ReadWrite.All, and RoleManagement.ReadWrite.Directory. The detection method leverages Azure Active Directory workload events, specifically 'Update application' operations. This activity is significant as these permissions provide extensive control over Azure AD settings, posing a high risk if misused. If confirmed malicious, this could allow unauthorized modifications, leading to potential data breaches or privilege escalation. Immediate investigation is crucial.

name: O365 Privileged Graph API Permission Assigned
id: 868f3131-d5e1-4bf1-af5b-9b0fbaaaedbb
version: 9
creation_date: '2024-02-14'
modification_date: '2026-05-13'
author: Mauricio Velazco, Splunk
status: production
type: TTP
description: The following analytic detects the assignment of critical Graph API permissions in Azure AD using the O365 Unified Audit Log. It focuses on permissions such as Application.ReadWrite.All, AppRoleAssignment.ReadWrite.All, and RoleManagement.ReadWrite.Directory. The detection method leverages Azure Active Directory workload events, specifically 'Update application' operations. This activity is significant as these permissions provide extensive control over Azure AD settings, posing a high risk if misused. If confirmed malicious, this could allow unauthorized modifications, leading to potential data breaches or privilege escalation. Immediate investigation is crucial.
data_source:
    - O365 Update application.
search: "`o365_management_activity` Workload=AzureActiveDirectory Operation=\"Update application.\" | eval newvalue = mvindex('ModifiedProperties{}.NewValue',0) | spath input=newvalue | search \"{}.RequiredAppPermissions{}.EntitlementId\"=\"1bfefb4e-e0b5-418b-a88f-73c46d2cc8e9\" OR \"{}.RequiredAppPermissions{}.EntitlementId\"=\"06b708a9-e830-4db3-a914-8e69da51d44f\" OR \"{}.RequiredAppPermissions{}.EntitlementId\"=\"9e3f62cf-ca93-4989-b6ce-bf83c28f9fe8\" | eval Permissions = '{}.RequiredAppPermissions{}.EntitlementId' | fillnull | stats count earliest(_time) as firstTime latest(_time) as lastTime values(Permissions) by user src object user_agent signature vendor_account vendor_product dest | `security_content_ctime(firstTime)` | `security_content_ctime(lastTime)` | `o365_privileged_graph_api_permission_assigned_filter`"
how_to_implement: You must install the Splunk Microsoft Office 365 Add-on and ingest Office 365 management activity events.
known_false_positives: Privileged Graph API permissions may be assigned for legitimate purposes. Filter as needed.
references:
    - https://cloudbrothers.info/en/azure-attack-paths/
    - https://github.com/mandiant/Mandiant-Azure-AD-Investigator/blob/master/MandiantAzureADInvestigator.json
    - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/graph/permissions-reference
    - https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/blog/2024/01/25/midnight-blizzard-guidance-for-responders-on-nation-state-attack/
    - https://posts.specterops.io/azure-privilege-escalation-via-azure-api-permissions-abuse-74aee1006f48
drilldown_searches:
    - name: View the detection results for - "$user$"
      search: '%original_detection_search% | search  user = "$user$"'
      earliest_offset: $info_min_time$
      latest_offset: $info_max_time$
    - name: View risk events for the last 7 days for - "$user$"
      search: '| from datamodel Risk.All_Risk | search normalized_risk_object IN ("$user$") | stats count min(_time) as firstTime max(_time) as lastTime values(search_name) as "Search Name" values(risk_message) as "Risk Message" values(analyticstories) as "Analytic Stories" values(annotations._all) as "Annotations" values(annotations.mitre_attack.mitre_tactic) as "ATT&CK Tactics" by normalized_risk_object | `security_content_ctime(firstTime)` | `security_content_ctime(lastTime)`'
      earliest_offset: 7d
      latest_offset: "0"
finding:
    title: User $user$ assigned privileged Graph API permissions to $object$
    entity:
        field: user
        type: user
        score: 50
analytic_story:
    - Office 365 Persistence Mechanisms
    - NOBELIUM Group
asset_type: O365 Tenant
mitre_attack_id:
    - T1003.002
product:
    - Splunk Enterprise
    - Splunk Enterprise Security
    - Splunk Cloud
category: cloud
security_domain: identity
tests:
    - name: True Positive Test
      attack_data:
        - data: https://media.githubusercontent.com/media/splunk/attack_data/master/datasets/attack_techniques/T1098.003/o365_privileged_graph_perm_assigned/o365_privileged_graph_perm_assigned.log
          sourcetype: o365:management:activity
          source: o365
      test_type: unit

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