Hunting Through APIs: Leveraging KQL for Cybersecurity Investigations

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Introduction

API-based threat hunting is becoming a critical skill for cybersecurity professionals, enabling efficient data retrieval and analysis across platforms like Microsoft Graph API, Azure Monitor API, and Defender ATP API. This article explores practical methods to execute hunts using KQL (Kusto Query Language) and PowerShell, providing actionable scripts and commands to streamline investigations.

Learning Objectives

  • Understand the role of APIs in modern threat hunting.
  • Learn how to use KQL with PowerShell to query security data.
  • Implement ready-to-use scripts for Graph API, Azure Monitor API, and Defender ATP API.

1. Querying Microsoft Graph API with KQL

PowerShell Script:

 Authenticate to Graph API 
$token = (Get-MsalToken -ClientId "YOUR_CLIENT_ID" -TenantId "YOUR_TENANT_ID" -Scopes "https://graph.microsoft.com/.default").AccessToken

Execute KQL query via Graph API 
$query = "SecurityAlert | where Severity == 'High'" 
$response = Invoke-RestMethod -Uri "https://graph.microsoft.com/v1.0/security/runHuntingQuery" -Headers @{Authorization = "Bearer $token"} -Body (ConvertTo-Json @{Query = $query}) -Method Post

Steps:

  1. Replace `YOUR_CLIENT_ID` and `YOUR_TENANT_ID` with your Azure AD credentials.
  2. The script fetches high-severity alerts using KQL via the Graph API.
  3. Results are returned in JSON format for further analysis.

2. Azure Monitor API for Log Analytics

PowerShell Script:

 Set workspace ID and key 
$workspaceId = "YOUR_WORKSPACE_ID" 
$sharedKey = "YOUR_SHARED_KEY"

KQL query for sign-in anomalies 
$query = "SigninLogs | where RiskLevelDuringSignIn == 'high'" 
$body = @{query = $query} | ConvertTo-Json

Send query to Azure Monitor API 
$response = Invoke-RestMethod -Uri "https://api.loganalytics.io/v1/workspaces/$workspaceId/query" -Headers @{"Authorization" = "Bearer $token"; "Content-Type" = "application/json"} -Body $body -Method Post

Steps:

1. Replace workspace credentials and query as needed.

  1. This script detects high-risk sign-ins from Azure AD logs.

3. Defender ATP API for Endpoint Threats

PowerShell Script:

 Query Defender ATP for malicious files 
$query = "DeviceFileEvents | where ActionType == 'AntivirusDetection'" 
$url = "https://api.securitycenter.microsoft.com/api/advancedqueries/run"

$response = Invoke-RestMethod -Uri $url -Headers @{Authorization = "Bearer $token"} -Body (ConvertTo-Json @{Query = $query}) -Method Post

Steps:

1. Requires Defender ATP API permissions.

2. Identifies antivirus detections across endpoints.

4. API Permission Scopes and Security

Key Commands:

 Verify API permissions (Azure AD) 
Get-AzureADServicePrincipal -Filter "AppId eq 'YOUR_APP_ID'" | Select -ExpandProperty Oauth2Permissions

Best Practices:

  • Limit scopes to `SecurityEvents.ReadWrite` or LogAnalytics.Read.
  • Use least-privilege access for hunting scripts.

5. Automating Hunts with Logic Apps

KQL + Logic App Example:

  1. Create a Logic App trigger (e.g., scheduled or alert-based).
  2. Embed KQL queries via the Azure Monitor connector.

3. Output results to Teams/Slack or SIEM systems.

What Undercode Say

  • Key Takeaway 1: APIs democratize threat hunting by enabling scalable, programmatic data analysis.
  • Key Takeaway 2: KQL’s integration with PowerShell reduces manual effort in SOC workflows.

Analysis:

The shift toward API-driven hunting reflects broader industry trends favoring automation and interoperability. However, organizations must balance accessibility with security—improperly configured API permissions can expose sensitive data. Future developments may see tighter integration between KQL and machine learning for predictive hunting.

Prediction

By 2025, 70% of enterprise threat hunting will rely on API-driven workflows, with KQL becoming the de facto query language for cross-platform investigations. Investments in API security (e.g., zero-trust scopes) will parallel this growth.

For deeper insights, refer to the original blog: Hunting Through APIs.

IT/Security Reporter URL:

Reported By: Bert Janpals – Hackers Feeds
Extra Hub: Undercode MoN
Basic Verification: Pass ✅

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