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Detect excessive NXDOMAIN DNS queries - Static threshold based ASIM DNS Solution

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Id4ab8b09e-3c23-4974-afbe-7e653779eb2b
RulenameDetect excessive NXDOMAIN DNS queries - Static threshold based (ASIM DNS Solution)
DescriptionThis rule generates an alert when the configured threshold for DNS queries to non-existent domains is breached. This helps in identifying possible C2 communications. It utilizes ASIM normalization and is applied to any source that supports the ASIM DNS schema.
SeverityMedium
TacticsCommandAndControl
TechniquesT1568
T1008
KindScheduled
Query frequency1h
Query period1h
Trigger threshold0
Trigger operatorgt
Source Urihttps://github.com/Azure/Azure-Sentinel/blob/master/Solutions/DNS Essentials/Analytic Rules/ExcessiveNXDOMAINDNSQueriesStaticThresholdBased.yaml
Version1.0.2
Arm template4ab8b09e-3c23-4974-afbe-7e653779eb2b.json
Deploy To Azure
let lookback = 1h;
let threshold = 200;
_Im_Dns(starttime=ago(lookback), responsecodename='NXDOMAIN')
| summarize NXDOMAINCount=count() by SrcIpAddr, bin(TimeGenerated, 15m)
| where NXDOMAINCount > threshold
| join kind=inner (_Im_Dns(starttime=ago(lookback), responsecodename='NXDOMAIN')
  | summarize DNSQueries = makeset(DnsQuery) by SrcIpAddr)
  on SrcIpAddr
| extend NXDOMAINthreshold=threshold
| project-away SrcIpAddr1
id: 4ab8b09e-3c23-4974-afbe-7e653779eb2b
tactics:
- CommandAndControl
queryPeriod: 1h
OriginalUri: https://github.com/Azure/Azure-Sentinel/blob/master/Solutions/DNS Essentials/Analytic Rules/ExcessiveNXDOMAINDNSQueriesStaticThresholdBased.yaml
eventGroupingSettings:
  aggregationKind: AlertPerResult
triggerThreshold: 0
name: Detect excessive NXDOMAIN DNS queries - Static threshold based (ASIM DNS Solution)
query: |
  let lookback = 1h;
  let threshold = 200;
  _Im_Dns(starttime=ago(lookback), responsecodename='NXDOMAIN')
  | summarize NXDOMAINCount=count() by SrcIpAddr, bin(TimeGenerated, 15m)
  | where NXDOMAINCount > threshold
  | join kind=inner (_Im_Dns(starttime=ago(lookback), responsecodename='NXDOMAIN')
    | summarize DNSQueries = makeset(DnsQuery) by SrcIpAddr)
    on SrcIpAddr
  | extend NXDOMAINthreshold=threshold
  | project-away SrcIpAddr1  
severity: Medium
customDetails:
  DNSQueries: DNSQueries
  NXDOMAINCount: NXDOMAINCount
  NXDOMAINthreshold: NXDOMAINthreshold
triggerOperator: gt
kind: Scheduled
relevantTechniques:
- T1568
- T1008
tags:
- SchemaVersion: 0.1.6
  Schema: ASimDns
queryFrequency: 1h
requiredDataConnectors: []
version: 1.0.2
description: |
    'This rule generates an alert when the configured threshold for DNS queries to non-existent domains is breached. This helps in identifying possible C2 communications. It utilizes [ASIM](https://aka.ms/AboutASIM) normalization and is applied to any source that supports the ASIM DNS schema.'
status: Available
alertDetailsOverride:
  alertDisplayNameFormat: "[Static threshold] Excessive NXDOMAIN DNS Queries has been detected from client IP: '{{SrcIpAddr}}'"
  alertDescriptionFormat: |-
    Client is generating excessive amount of DNS queries for non-existent domains. This can be an indication of possible C2 communications. 

    'NXDOMAIN' error count threshold: '{{NXDOMAINthreshold}}'

    Current 'NXDOMAIN' error count from this client: '{{NXDOMAINCount}}'

    DNS queries requested by the client include:

    '{{DNSQueries}}'    
entityMappings:
- fieldMappings:
  - columnName: SrcIpAddr
    identifier: Address
  entityType: IP
{
  "$schema": "https://schema.management.azure.com/schemas/2019-04-01/deploymentTemplate.json#",
  "contentVersion": "1.0.0.0",
  "parameters": {
    "workspace": {
      "type": "String"
    }
  },
  "resources": [
    {
      "apiVersion": "2024-01-01-preview",
      "id": "[concat(resourceId('Microsoft.OperationalInsights/workspaces/providers', parameters('workspace'), 'Microsoft.SecurityInsights'),'/alertRules/4ab8b09e-3c23-4974-afbe-7e653779eb2b')]",
      "kind": "Scheduled",
      "name": "[concat(parameters('workspace'),'/Microsoft.SecurityInsights/4ab8b09e-3c23-4974-afbe-7e653779eb2b')]",
      "properties": {
        "alertDetailsOverride": {
          "alertDescriptionFormat": "Client is generating excessive amount of DNS queries for non-existent domains. This can be an indication of possible C2 communications. \n\n'NXDOMAIN' error count threshold: '{{NXDOMAINthreshold}}'\n\nCurrent 'NXDOMAIN' error count from this client: '{{NXDOMAINCount}}'\n\nDNS queries requested by the client include:\n\n'{{DNSQueries}}'",
          "alertDisplayNameFormat": "[Static threshold] Excessive NXDOMAIN DNS Queries has been detected from client IP: '{{SrcIpAddr}}'"
        },
        "alertRuleTemplateName": "4ab8b09e-3c23-4974-afbe-7e653779eb2b",
        "customDetails": {
          "DNSQueries": "DNSQueries",
          "NXDOMAINCount": "NXDOMAINCount",
          "NXDOMAINthreshold": "NXDOMAINthreshold"
        },
        "description": "'This rule generates an alert when the configured threshold for DNS queries to non-existent domains is breached. This helps in identifying possible C2 communications. It utilizes [ASIM](https://aka.ms/AboutASIM) normalization and is applied to any source that supports the ASIM DNS schema.'\n",
        "displayName": "Detect excessive NXDOMAIN DNS queries - Static threshold based (ASIM DNS Solution)",
        "enabled": true,
        "entityMappings": [
          {
            "entityType": "IP",
            "fieldMappings": [
              {
                "columnName": "SrcIpAddr",
                "identifier": "Address"
              }
            ]
          }
        ],
        "eventGroupingSettings": {
          "aggregationKind": "AlertPerResult"
        },
        "OriginalUri": "https://github.com/Azure/Azure-Sentinel/blob/master/Solutions/DNS Essentials/Analytic Rules/ExcessiveNXDOMAINDNSQueriesStaticThresholdBased.yaml",
        "query": "let lookback = 1h;\nlet threshold = 200;\n_Im_Dns(starttime=ago(lookback), responsecodename='NXDOMAIN')\n| summarize NXDOMAINCount=count() by SrcIpAddr, bin(TimeGenerated, 15m)\n| where NXDOMAINCount > threshold\n| join kind=inner (_Im_Dns(starttime=ago(lookback), responsecodename='NXDOMAIN')\n  | summarize DNSQueries = makeset(DnsQuery) by SrcIpAddr)\n  on SrcIpAddr\n| extend NXDOMAINthreshold=threshold\n| project-away SrcIpAddr1\n",
        "queryFrequency": "PT1H",
        "queryPeriod": "PT1H",
        "severity": "Medium",
        "status": "Available",
        "subTechniques": [],
        "suppressionDuration": "PT1H",
        "suppressionEnabled": false,
        "tactics": [
          "CommandAndControl"
        ],
        "tags": [
          {
            "Schema": "ASimDns",
            "SchemaVersion": "0.1.6"
          }
        ],
        "techniques": [
          "T1008",
          "T1568"
        ],
        "templateVersion": "1.0.2",
        "triggerOperator": "GreaterThan",
        "triggerThreshold": 0
      },
      "type": "Microsoft.OperationalInsights/workspaces/providers/alertRules"
    }
  ]
}