SOC 2025 Detection Pack: Advanced Threat Detection with KQL and Splunk

Introduction

The SOC 2025 Detection Pack is a comprehensive resource for Security Operations Center (SOC) teams, threat hunters, and detection engineers. It provides 100 real-world use cases with KQL (Kusto Query Language) and Splunk queries, mapped to MITRE ATT&CK techniques and updated for emerging 2025 threats. This guide covers identity abuse, cloud persistence, CI/CD attacks, lateral movement, and advanced exfiltration techniques.

Learning Objectives

• Learn how to implement KQL and Splunk queries for threat detection.
• Understand MITRE ATT&CK mappings for real-world attack scenarios.
• Enhance SOC operations with actionable detection rules and playbooks.

1. Detecting Credential Dumping with KQL

Command:

SecurityEvent 
| where EventID == 4688 
| where Process == "lsass.exe" and CommandLine contains "minidump" 
| project TimeGenerated, Computer, AccountName, Process, CommandLine 

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. This query detects LSASS memory dumping, a common technique for stealing credentials.
2. Filters for Event ID 4688 (process creation) and checks for `lsass.exe` with `minidump` in the command line.
3. Outputs the timestamp, machine name, account, and malicious process details.

2. Identifying Suspicious Cloud Persistence in Splunk

Command:

index=aws_cloudtrail 
| search "eventName"="CreateAccessKey" OR "eventName"="UpdateAccessKey" 
| stats count by userIdentity.userName, eventName, eventTime 
| where count > 1 

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Searches AWS CloudTrail logs for unauthorized access key creation/modification.
2. Aggregates events by username and action to detect abnormal key generation.
3. Triggers an alert if a user creates/updates keys multiple times, indicating persistence attempts.
   1. Detecting Lateral Movement via RDP in KQL

Command:

SecurityEvent 
| where EventID == 4624 and LogonType == 10 
| where Account !contains "$" 
| summarize count() by Account, TargetLogonId 
| where count_ > 3 

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Monitors Windows Event Logs for RDP logins (LogonType 10).
2. Excludes system accounts ($) and checks for multiple logins from the same account.
3. Flags potential lateral movement if an account logs into more than 3 machines in a short time.
   1. Hunting for CI/CD Pipeline Compromises in Splunk

Command:

index=git_logs 
| search "git push origin master" AND "user.email" NOT IN ["@company.com"] 
| table timestamp, user.name, user.email, commit_message 

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Scans Git logs for unauthorized pushes to `master` by non-corporate emails.
2. Helps detect supply chain attacks where attackers inject malicious code.
3. Outputs suspicious commits with user details for investigation.

5. Detecting Data Exfiltration via DNS Tunneling

Command:

DnsEvents 
| where Query contains ".exe" or Query contains ".zip" 
| summarize count() by Query, ClientIP 
| where count_ > 5 

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Looks for DNS queries containing file extensions (.exe, .zip), a sign of DNS tunneling.
2. Groups queries by source IP to detect repeated exfiltration attempts.
3. Alerts if an IP makes more than 5 suspicious DNS requests.

What Undercode Say

• Key Takeaway 1: SOC teams must continuously update detection rules to match evolving threats.
• Key Takeaway 2: Combining KQL and Splunk improves detection coverage across hybrid environments.

Analysis:

The SOC 2025 Detection Pack bridges the gap between threat intelligence and operational detection. By providing pre-built queries, it reduces SOC analysts’ workload and enhances threat-hunting efficiency. However, organizations must customize these rules to their environment and integrate them with SIEM, EDR, and threat intelligence feeds for maximum effectiveness.

Prediction

By 2025, SOC teams will increasingly rely on AI-driven detection alongside manual queries. Automation will handle low-level alerts, while analysts focus on advanced threat investigations. Tools like KQL and Splunk will remain essential but will integrate with predictive analytics to detect zero-day attacks faster.

For the full SOC 2025 Detection Pack, visit: https://lnkd.in/gY6ySPHy.

IT/Security Reporter URL:

Reported By: Izzmier Soc – Hackers Feeds
Extra Hub: Undercode MoN
Basic Verification: Pass ✅

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