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Command & Control

Azure AD Login From Suspicious Location

Azure AD Login From Suspicious Location
Overview
Possible Root Causes
Example Scenarios
Business Impact
Steps to Investigate
MITRE ATT&CK Techniques
Related Detections
FAQ

Detection overview

The "Azure AD Login from Suspicious Location" detection alerts security teams to successful logins from IP addresses in geographic regions unusual for the account's typical behavior. This detection could signify a compromised account, where an attacker is accessing the account from their true location or using a proxy to obscure their origin.

Triggers

  • A successful login was observed to an account from a country that is unusual for this tenant.

Possible Root Causes

  • An attacker may sign into the account they have compromised from their true location, or from a random proxy system that does not take into account the valid user’s normal expected location.
  • A user may be traveling to a new country on business or on vacation, and is signing into their account from there.

Business Impact

  • Adversaries frequently bypass security controls through the malicious, unauthorized use of valid credentials.
  • The compromise of a valid account may lead to the loss of confidentiality and integrity of any data and services that account may access, and it may be used in service of additional lateral movement or attacks against other internal users.

Steps to Verify

  • Validate whether the user in question is expected to sign in from this location (e.g. as part of a business trip).

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Azure AD Login From Suspicious Location

Possible root causes

Malicious Detection

Attackers often access compromised accounts from their actual geographic location or from anonymizing networks to evade detection. By logging in from these unusual locations, they can bypass location-based security controls, gaining unauthorized access to internal systems.

Benign Detection

Legitimate users may trigger this detection when traveling to new locations for work or personal reasons. Business trips, vacations, or relocations can all result in unexpected login locations that deviate from the user's regular patterns.

Azure AD Login From Suspicious Location

Example scenarios

1. Login from Unexpected Foreign Country

An employee who typically logs in from a specific region in North America is suddenly observed logging in from Southeast Asia. This change could indicate an attacker with stolen credentials attempting unauthorized access.

2. Proxy-Related Access from Unknown IP Address

A login occurs from an IP address associated with a known anonymizing VPN or proxy service. This could suggest an attacker concealing their origin to bypass location-based security measures.

Azure AD Login From Suspicious Location

Business impact

If this detection indicates a genuine threat, the organization faces significant risks:

Data Compromise

A successful login from a suspicious location could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, potentially leading to data leaks or breaches.

Increased Security Risks

Unauthorized logins create opportunities for attackers to launch lateral attacks within the organization, targeting other accounts or systems.

Compliance and Legal Risks

Access from unauthorized locations can pose regulatory risks, particularly if sensitive data is accessed or stolen, exposing the organization to compliance violations.

Azure AD Login From Suspicious Location

Steps to investigate

Confirm User Location and Activity

Verify if the user is legitimately accessing the account from a new location, such as through direct communication or HR records of business travel.

Analyze Recent Login and Access Patterns

Review recent login and access activities to identify any additional signs of compromise, including changes in account settings or unusual resource access.

Examine IP Address and Network Information

Investigate the IP address details to determine if it correlates with known proxy services or high-risk regions.

Monitor Account for Continued Suspicious Activities

Continue to monitor the account for any further unusual behaviors, including logins from unfamiliar devices or activities in high-risk applications.

Azure AD Login From Suspicious Location

MITRE ATT&CK techniques covered

Valid Accounts

T1078
Azure AD Login From Suspicious Location

Related detections

Azure AD MFA-Failed Suspicious Sign-On

Azure AD Suspicious Device Registration

Azure AD Suspicious Sign-on

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FAQs

What qualifies a location as "suspicious"?

A location is flagged as suspicious if it is significantly different from the account’s typical login regions.

What is the initial step in investigating this alert?

First, confirm the user’s expected location to determine if the login could be legitimate.

How can I determine if a login is from a proxy?

Reviewing the IP address and network details can reveal if a login came from known anonymizing proxies or VPNs.

What log sources can assist in the investigation?

Azure AD sign-in logs, conditional access policies, and network information are valuable for tracking suspicious access patterns.

What other detections relate to suspicious login behavior?

Azure AD suspicious device registrations, OAuth anomalies, and unusual MFA configurations often accompany location-based suspicious logins.

How can attackers exploit this detection?

Attackers use unfamiliar locations to access compromised accounts, hoping to evade location-based access restrictions.

Is this detection always a sign of compromise?

Not necessarily; legitimate travel can trigger this detection. However, verification is important to rule out any risks.

Could this impact compliance requirements?

Yes, unauthorized access, especially involving sensitive data, can lead to compliance violations.

Should I block access from certain locations?

Blocking can be considered for locations not relevant to the business, though this may be restrictive and should be reviewed for impact on legitimate users.

How does Vectra’s AI aid in identifying these patterns?

Vectra AI uses historical login patterns and anomaly detection to identify deviations in location, prompting further investigation.