GCP Audit Logs - Data Access Logging Exemption Added for Principal

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Id	b7da45ce-fcc8-43c7-a37c-c08454579d26
Rulename	GCP Audit Logs - Data Access Logging Exemption Added for Principal
Description	Detects when a principal (user or service account) is exempted from GCP data access audit logging. This is a critical security event as it reduces visibility into privileged operations and may indicate an attempt to hide malicious activity. Adversaries may exempt their accounts from audit logging to evade detection while performing reconnaissance, privilege escalation, or data exfiltration. This rule monitors SetIamPolicy operations that add audit log exemptions for ADMIN_READ, DATA_READ, or DATA_WRITE log types.
Severity	High
Tactics	DefenseEvasion PrivilegeEscalation
Techniques	T1562.008 T1078.004
Required data connectors	GCPAuditLogsDefinition
Kind	Scheduled
Query frequency	1h
Query period	1h
Trigger threshold	0
Trigger operator	gt
Source Uri	https://github.com/Azure/Azure-Sentinel/blob/master/Solutions/Google%20Cloud%20Platform%20Audit%20Logs/Analytic%20Rules/GCPDataAccessLoggingExemption.yaml
Version	1.0.0
Arm template	b7da45ce-fcc8-43c7-a37c-c08454579d26.json

KQL

GCPAuditLogs
 | where ServiceName == "cloudresourcemanager.googleapis.com"
 | where MethodName == "SetIamPolicy"
 | where GCPResourceType == "project" and Severity == "NOTICE"
 | where isnotempty(ServiceData)
 | extend ServiceDataJson = parse_json(ServiceData)
 | extend PolicyDelta = ServiceDataJson.policyDelta.auditConfigDeltas
 | where isnotempty(PolicyDelta)
 | mv-expand ConfigDelta = PolicyDelta
 | where ConfigDelta.action == "ADD"
 | extend LogType = tostring(ConfigDelta.logType)
 | where LogType in ("ADMIN_READ", "DATA_READ", "DATA_WRITE")
 | extend 
     ExemptedMember = tostring(ConfigDelta.exemptedMember),
     ServiceAffected = tostring(ConfigDelta.service),
     RequestMetadataJson = parse_json(RequestMetadata),
     AuthInfoJson = parse_json(AuthenticationInfo)
 | where isnotempty(ExemptedMember)
 | extend 
     CallerIpAddress = tostring(RequestMetadataJson.callerIp),
     UserAgent = tostring(RequestMetadataJson.callerSuppliedUserAgent),
     AuthEmail = tostring(AuthInfoJson.principalEmail),
     ExemptedAccountName = tostring(split(ExemptedMember, ":")[1])
 | summarize 
     ExemptedLogTypes = make_set(LogType, 10),
     ExemptedServices = make_set(ServiceAffected, 50),
     FirstExemption = min(TimeGenerated),
     LastExemption = max(TimeGenerated)
     by PrincipalEmail, ProjectId, GCPResourceName, ExemptedMember, 
        CallerIpAddress, UserAgent, LogName, ExemptedAccountName, MethodName, ServiceName, AuthEmail
 | extend
     AccountName = tostring(split(PrincipalEmail, "@")[0]), 
     AccountUPNSuffix = tostring(split(PrincipalEmail, "@")[1])
 | project TimeGenerated = LastExemption,
     PrincipalEmail,
     ProjectId,
     ResourceName = GCPResourceName,
     ExemptedMember,
     ExemptedAccountName,
     ExemptedLogTypes,
     ExemptedServices,
     FirstExemption,
     LastExemption,
     CallerIpAddress,
     UserAgent,
     AuthEmail,
     MethodName,
     ServiceName,
     LogName,
     AccountName,
     AccountUPNSuffix

YAML

entityMappings:
- entityType: Account
  fieldMappings:
  - identifier: FullName
    columnName: PrincipalEmail
  - identifier: Name
    columnName: AccountName
  - identifier: UPNSuffix
    columnName: AccountUPNSuffix
- entityType: IP
  fieldMappings:
  - identifier: Address
    columnName: CallerIpAddress
- entityType: CloudApplication
  fieldMappings:
  - identifier: Name
    columnName: ProjectId
  - identifier: InstanceName
    columnName: ResourceName
name: GCP Audit Logs - Data Access Logging Exemption Added for Principal
kind: Scheduled
OriginalUri: https://github.com/Azure/Azure-Sentinel/blob/master/Solutions/Google%20Cloud%20Platform%20Audit%20Logs/Analytic%20Rules/GCPDataAccessLoggingExemption.yaml
triggerOperator: gt
status: Available
queryPeriod: 1h
requiredDataConnectors:
- connectorId: GCPAuditLogsDefinition
  dataTypes:
  - GCPAuditLogs
tactics:
- DefenseEvasion
- PrivilegeEscalation
query: |
  GCPAuditLogs
   | where ServiceName == "cloudresourcemanager.googleapis.com"
   | where MethodName == "SetIamPolicy"
   | where GCPResourceType == "project" and Severity == "NOTICE"
   | where isnotempty(ServiceData)
   | extend ServiceDataJson = parse_json(ServiceData)
   | extend PolicyDelta = ServiceDataJson.policyDelta.auditConfigDeltas
   | where isnotempty(PolicyDelta)
   | mv-expand ConfigDelta = PolicyDelta
   | where ConfigDelta.action == "ADD"
   | extend LogType = tostring(ConfigDelta.logType)
   | where LogType in ("ADMIN_READ", "DATA_READ", "DATA_WRITE")
   | extend 
       ExemptedMember = tostring(ConfigDelta.exemptedMember),
       ServiceAffected = tostring(ConfigDelta.service),
       RequestMetadataJson = parse_json(RequestMetadata),
       AuthInfoJson = parse_json(AuthenticationInfo)
   | where isnotempty(ExemptedMember)
   | extend 
       CallerIpAddress = tostring(RequestMetadataJson.callerIp),
       UserAgent = tostring(RequestMetadataJson.callerSuppliedUserAgent),
       AuthEmail = tostring(AuthInfoJson.principalEmail),
       ExemptedAccountName = tostring(split(ExemptedMember, ":")[1])
   | summarize 
       ExemptedLogTypes = make_set(LogType, 10),
       ExemptedServices = make_set(ServiceAffected, 50),
       FirstExemption = min(TimeGenerated),
       LastExemption = max(TimeGenerated)
       by PrincipalEmail, ProjectId, GCPResourceName, ExemptedMember, 
          CallerIpAddress, UserAgent, LogName, ExemptedAccountName, MethodName, ServiceName, AuthEmail
   | extend
       AccountName = tostring(split(PrincipalEmail, "@")[0]), 
       AccountUPNSuffix = tostring(split(PrincipalEmail, "@")[1])
   | project TimeGenerated = LastExemption,
       PrincipalEmail,
       ProjectId,
       ResourceName = GCPResourceName,
       ExemptedMember,
       ExemptedAccountName,
       ExemptedLogTypes,
       ExemptedServices,
       FirstExemption,
       LastExemption,
       CallerIpAddress,
       UserAgent,
       AuthEmail,
       MethodName,
       ServiceName,
       LogName,
       AccountName,
       AccountUPNSuffix
description: |
  'Detects when a principal (user or service account) is exempted from GCP data access audit logging.
  This is a critical security event as it reduces visibility into privileged operations and may indicate an attempt to hide malicious activity.
  Adversaries may exempt their accounts from audit logging to evade detection while performing reconnaissance, privilege escalation, or data exfiltration.
  This rule monitors SetIamPolicy operations that add audit log exemptions for ADMIN_READ, DATA_READ, or DATA_WRITE log types.'
severity: High
tags:
- Cloud Security
- Audit Logging
- Defense Evasion
id: b7da45ce-fcc8-43c7-a37c-c08454579d26
customDetails:
  ProjectId: ProjectId
  ExemptedServices: ExemptedServices
  ExemptedMember: ExemptedMember
  UserAgent: UserAgent
  ExemptedAccountName: ExemptedAccountName
  ExemptedLogTypes: ExemptedLogTypes
triggerThreshold: 0
queryFrequency: 1h
alertDetailsOverride:
  alertDescriptionFormat: |-
    Principal {{ExemptedAccountName}} added as exception from Data Access logging in project {{ProjectId}} for Service {{ExemptedServices}}.
    This action reduces audit visibility and may indicate an attempt to evade detection. Verify this change was authorized and investigate any suspicious activity performed by the exempted principal.
  alertDisplayNameFormat: GCP Data Access Logging Exemption Added for {{ExemptedAccountName}} by {{PrincipalEmail}} in Service {{ExemptedServices}}
version: 1.0.0
relevantTechniques:
- T1562.008
- T1078.004

ARM

{
  "$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/b7da45ce-fcc8-43c7-a37c-c08454579d26')]",
      "kind": "Scheduled",
      "name": "[concat(parameters('workspace'),'/Microsoft.SecurityInsights/b7da45ce-fcc8-43c7-a37c-c08454579d26')]",
      "properties": {
        "alertDetailsOverride": {
          "alertDescriptionFormat": "Principal {{ExemptedAccountName}} added as exception from Data Access logging in project {{ProjectId}} for Service {{ExemptedServices}}.\nThis action reduces audit visibility and may indicate an attempt to evade detection. Verify this change was authorized and investigate any suspicious activity performed by the exempted principal.",
          "alertDisplayNameFormat": "GCP Data Access Logging Exemption Added for {{ExemptedAccountName}} by {{PrincipalEmail}} in Service {{ExemptedServices}}"
        },
        "alertRuleTemplateName": "b7da45ce-fcc8-43c7-a37c-c08454579d26",
        "customDetails": {
          "ExemptedAccountName": "ExemptedAccountName",
          "ExemptedLogTypes": "ExemptedLogTypes",
          "ExemptedMember": "ExemptedMember",
          "ExemptedServices": "ExemptedServices",
          "ProjectId": "ProjectId",
          "UserAgent": "UserAgent"
        },
        "description": "'Detects when a principal (user or service account) is exempted from GCP data access audit logging.\nThis is a critical security event as it reduces visibility into privileged operations and may indicate an attempt to hide malicious activity.\nAdversaries may exempt their accounts from audit logging to evade detection while performing reconnaissance, privilege escalation, or data exfiltration.\nThis rule monitors SetIamPolicy operations that add audit log exemptions for ADMIN_READ, DATA_READ, or DATA_WRITE log types.'\n",
        "displayName": "GCP Audit Logs - Data Access Logging Exemption Added for Principal",
        "enabled": true,
        "entityMappings": [
          {
            "entityType": "Account",
            "fieldMappings": [
              {
                "columnName": "PrincipalEmail",
                "identifier": "FullName"
              },
              {
                "columnName": "AccountName",
                "identifier": "Name"
              },
              {
                "columnName": "AccountUPNSuffix",
                "identifier": "UPNSuffix"
              }
            ]
          },
          {
            "entityType": "IP",
            "fieldMappings": [
              {
                "columnName": "CallerIpAddress",
                "identifier": "Address"
              }
            ]
          },
          {
            "entityType": "CloudApplication",
            "fieldMappings": [
              {
                "columnName": "ProjectId",
                "identifier": "Name"
              },
              {
                "columnName": "ResourceName",
                "identifier": "InstanceName"
              }
            ]
          }
        ],
        "OriginalUri": "https://github.com/Azure/Azure-Sentinel/blob/master/Solutions/Google%20Cloud%20Platform%20Audit%20Logs/Analytic%20Rules/GCPDataAccessLoggingExemption.yaml",
        "query": "GCPAuditLogs\n | where ServiceName == \"cloudresourcemanager.googleapis.com\"\n | where MethodName == \"SetIamPolicy\"\n | where GCPResourceType == \"project\" and Severity == \"NOTICE\"\n | where isnotempty(ServiceData)\n | extend ServiceDataJson = parse_json(ServiceData)\n | extend PolicyDelta = ServiceDataJson.policyDelta.auditConfigDeltas\n | where isnotempty(PolicyDelta)\n | mv-expand ConfigDelta = PolicyDelta\n | where ConfigDelta.action == \"ADD\"\n | extend LogType = tostring(ConfigDelta.logType)\n | where LogType in (\"ADMIN_READ\", \"DATA_READ\", \"DATA_WRITE\")\n | extend \n     ExemptedMember = tostring(ConfigDelta.exemptedMember),\n     ServiceAffected = tostring(ConfigDelta.service),\n     RequestMetadataJson = parse_json(RequestMetadata),\n     AuthInfoJson = parse_json(AuthenticationInfo)\n | where isnotempty(ExemptedMember)\n | extend \n     CallerIpAddress = tostring(RequestMetadataJson.callerIp),\n     UserAgent = tostring(RequestMetadataJson.callerSuppliedUserAgent),\n     AuthEmail = tostring(AuthInfoJson.principalEmail),\n     ExemptedAccountName = tostring(split(ExemptedMember, \":\")[1])\n | summarize \n     ExemptedLogTypes = make_set(LogType, 10),\n     ExemptedServices = make_set(ServiceAffected, 50),\n     FirstExemption = min(TimeGenerated),\n     LastExemption = max(TimeGenerated)\n     by PrincipalEmail, ProjectId, GCPResourceName, ExemptedMember, \n        CallerIpAddress, UserAgent, LogName, ExemptedAccountName, MethodName, ServiceName, AuthEmail\n | extend\n     AccountName = tostring(split(PrincipalEmail, \"@\")[0]), \n     AccountUPNSuffix = tostring(split(PrincipalEmail, \"@\")[1])\n | project TimeGenerated = LastExemption,\n     PrincipalEmail,\n     ProjectId,\n     ResourceName = GCPResourceName,\n     ExemptedMember,\n     ExemptedAccountName,\n     ExemptedLogTypes,\n     ExemptedServices,\n     FirstExemption,\n     LastExemption,\n     CallerIpAddress,\n     UserAgent,\n     AuthEmail,\n     MethodName,\n     ServiceName,\n     LogName,\n     AccountName,\n     AccountUPNSuffix\n",
        "queryFrequency": "PT1H",
        "queryPeriod": "PT1H",
        "severity": "High",
        "status": "Available",
        "subTechniques": [
          "T1562.008",
          "T1078.004"
        ],
        "suppressionDuration": "PT1H",
        "suppressionEnabled": false,
        "tactics": [
          "DefenseEvasion",
          "PrivilegeEscalation"
        ],
        "tags": [
          "Cloud Security",
          "Audit Logging",
          "Defense Evasion"
        ],
        "techniques": [
          "T1078",
          "T1562"
        ],
        "templateVersion": "1.0.0",
        "triggerOperator": "GreaterThan",
        "triggerThreshold": 0
      },
      "type": "Microsoft.OperationalInsights/workspaces/providers/alertRules"
    }
  ]
}