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Detection Strategies DET0286 — Detection Strategy for Impersonation
DET0286

Detection Strategy for Impersonation

5 analytic(s) · 1 technique(s) detected

Analytics

5
AN0792 Analytic 0792
Windows

Monitor for anomalous email activity originating from Windows-hosted applications (e.g., Outlook) where the sending account name or display name does not match the underlying SMTP address. Detect abnormal volume of outbound messages containing sensitive keywords (e.g., 'payment', 'wire transfer') or anomalous login locations for accounts associated with email sending activity.

WinEventLog:Security EventCode=4624, 4648 m365:unified SendOnBehalf/SendAs: Emails sent where the sending identity mismatches account ownership
[KeywordList] Adjust impersonation detection keywords based on local business risk terms (e.g., 'ACH', 'Invoice').
[GeoLocationBaseline] Define trusted geographic regions for normal user email activity.
AN0793 Analytic 0793
Linux

Monitor mail server logs (Postfix, Sendmail, Exim) for anomalous From headers mismatching authenticated SMTP identities. Detect abnormal relay attempts, spoofed envelope-from values, or large-scale outbound campaigns targeting internal users.

auditd:SYSCALL execve: Processes executing sendmail/postfix with forged headers Application:Mail Mismatch between authenticated username and From header in email
[KnownRelayHosts] Filter trusted relays or automated notification systems from impersonation alerts.
AN0794 Analytic 0794
macOS

Monitor Mail.app activity or unified logs for anomalous SMTP usage, including mismatches between display name and authenticated AppleID or Exchange credentials. Detect use of third-party mail utilities that attempt to send on behalf of corporate identities.

macos:unifiedlog Mail.app or third-party clients sending messages with mismatched From headers
[TrustedMailClients] Allowlist known third-party clients used for legitimate email activity.
AN0795 Analytic 0795
SaaS

Monitor SaaS mail platforms (Google Workspace, M365, Okta-integrated apps) for SendAs/SendOnBehalfOf operations where the delegated permissions are unusual or newly granted. Detect impersonation attempts where adversaries configure rules to auto-forward or auto-reply with impersonated content.

gcp:workspaceaudit SendAs: Outbound messages with alias identities that differ from primary account
[DelegationBaseline] Maintain baseline of normal SendAs/SendOnBehalf relationships to reduce false positives.
AN0796 Analytic 0796
Office Suite

Monitor Office Suite applications (Outlook, Word mail merge, Excel macros) for abnormal automated message sending, especially when macros or scripts trigger email delivery. Detect patterns of impersonation language (urgent, payment, executive request) combined with anomalous execution of Office macros.

m365:unified SendOnBehalf/SendAs: Office Suite initiated messages using impersonated identities
[MacroExecutionThreshold] Threshold for correlating macro execution with email sending activity.

Detected Techniques

1

Details

MITRE ID
DET0286
STIX ID
x-mitre-detection-strategy--1e08be7e-451c-4b10-9e65-b6dbf8d54b38
Analytics
5
Techniques Detected
1
By Tactic
Stealth
1
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