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Introduction
Microsoft has unveiled a major update for Microsoft Sentinel, integrating Conditional Access (CA) analytic rules into the Entra content update. This enhancement eliminates the need for custom KQL queries or workbooks, providing built-in detection for critical CA policy changes, risky bypass attempts, and privilege misuse—bolstering Zero Trust and identity-driven SOC workflows.
Learning Objectives
- Understand the significance of Conditional Access monitoring in modern SOC operations.
- Learn how to deploy and configure the new Microsoft Entra solution in Sentinel.
- Explore key KQL queries and Sentinel rules for detecting CA policy anomalies.
You Should Know
1. Installing the Microsoft Entra Solution in Sentinel
To leverage the new CA analytic rules, deploy the latest Microsoft Entra solution from the Sentinel Content Hub:
1. Navigate to Microsoft Sentinel → Content Hub.
2. Search for “Microsoft Entra” and select Install.
- Once installed, review the new analytic rules under Analytics → Active rules.
Why This Matters:
This automates detection for policy modifications, break-glass account usage, and risky bypasses, reducing manual KQL scripting.
2. Monitoring Conditional Access Policy Changes
Sentinel now includes pre-built rules for tracking CA policy modifications. Verify activity with:
AuditLogs | where OperationName == "Update conditional access policy" | extend ModifiedProperties = todynamic(tostring(parse_json(ResultDescription).ModifiedProperties)) | project TimeGenerated, OperationName, Actor=InitiatedBy.user.userPrincipalName, PolicyName=TargetResources[bash].displayName, ModifiedProperties
Step-by-Step Use:
- This query logs who modified a CA policy and which settings were changed.
- Set an alert rule in Sentinel to trigger on suspicious changes (e.g., broad exclusions).
3. Detecting Risky Bypass Attempts
Attackers may attempt to exclude critical accounts from CA policies. Detect this with:
SecurityAlert | where ProviderName == "Microsoft Entra" | where AlertName contains "Conditional Access Bypass Attempt" | extend BypassedUser = tostring(parse_json(Entities)[bash].Name)
Why This Matters:
Identifies malicious exclusions of high-privilege accounts from MFA or location-based policies.
4. Identifying Privileged Account Targeting
Sentinel now flags if break-glass or admin accounts are added to CA policies unexpectedly:
AuditLogs | where OperationName == "Add user to conditional access policy" | where TargetResources[bash].displayName contains "Breakglass" | project TimeGenerated, UserAdded=InitiatedBy.user.userPrincipalName, PolicyName
Step-by-Step Use:
- Integrate with Identity Protection to correlate with risky sign-ins.
- Automate ticket creation in ITSM tools like ServiceNow via Sentinel Playbooks.
5. Tracking Security-Impacting Policy Drift
Ensure Session Integrity Flags (SIF) aren’t weakened:
AuditLogs | where OperationName == "Update conditional access policy" | where ResultDescription contains "sessionControls" | extend OldValue = todynamic(parse_json(ResultDescription).ModifiedProperties[bash].OldValue | extend NewValue = todynamic(parse_json(ResultDescription).ModifiedProperties[bash].NewValue
Why This Matters:
Prevents attackers from disabling persistent browser sessions or extending token lifetimes.
6. Automating Response with Sentinel Playbooks
Trigger automated remediation when Sentinel detects CA anomalies:
1. In Sentinel, go to Automation → Playbooks.
2. Create a new Azure Logic App playbook.
3. Use the Microsoft Entra ID connector to:
- Suspend risky users (via
Revoke-AzureADUserAllRefreshToken). - Notify SOC teams via Teams/Email.
Example Logic App Condition:
"When a CA policy is modified by a non-approved admin, lock the user account."
7. Integrating with Zero Trust Frameworks
Align Sentinel alerts with NIST SP 800-207 and M-21-31:
- Map Sentinel detections to CIS Controls v8 (e.g., Control 6: Access Control).
- Use MITRE ATT&CK® (Tactic: TA0004 – Privilege Escalation).
KQL for Zero Trust Reporting:
SecurityAlert | summarize TotalAlerts=count() by AlertSeverity, AlertName | join kind=inner ( AzureActivity | where OperationNameValue contains "Microsoft.Authorization/policies" ) on $left.AlertName == $right.OperationName
What Undercode Say
- Key Takeaway 1: Eliminating custom KQL scripts for CA monitoring reduces SOC fatigue and accelerates detection.
- Key Takeaway 2: Real-time CA visibility is critical for compliance (e.g., M-21-31) and stopping lateral movement.
Analysis:
Microsoft’s update fills a long-standing gap in identity security. Previously, SOC teams relied on manual log parsing, delaying incident response. Now, Sentinel provides native CA telemetry, enabling faster detection of policy tampering—a common attacker tactic. Expect third-party SIEMs (Splunk, Chronicle) to follow suit with similar features.
Prediction
Within 12–18 months, AI-driven CA policy recommendations will emerge, using Sentinel data to auto-suggest least-privilege rules. Additionally, UEBA (User Entity Behavior Analytics) will integrate deeper with CA logs, flagging insider threats via anomalous policy changes.
Final Thought:
Deploying these rules today positions organizations ahead of identity-based attacks, which account for 80% of breaches (Verizon DBIR 2024).
🔐 Action Step:
Install the Entra solution now and audit your CA policies using the provided KQL queries.
Tags: MicrosoftSentinel ConditionalAccess ZeroTrust CyberSecurity SOC M2131 KQL SIEM
🎯Let’s Practice For Free:
IT/Security Reporter URL:
Reported By: Michael Crane – Hackers Feeds
Extra Hub: Undercode MoN
Basic Verification: Pass ✅
