AWS Systems Manager AWS-ssm

13 operations, identified by eventName in the audit log.

eventNameDescription
_catch_allCatch-all entry for AWS-ssm rules that match the service but not a specific eventName.
CreateAssociationCreates an association between a managed node and a Systems Manager document, defining the configuration state to apply.
CreateDocumentCreates a Systems Manager document that defines the actions to perform on managed nodes.
DescribeInstancePatchesRetrieves information about the patches on a specific managed node and their states relative to the patch baseline.
GetInventoryQueries the Systems Manager inventory, returning aggregated data about managed nodes based on specified filters.
GetInventorySchemaReturns a list of the metadata types currently available to populate a Systems Manager inventory.
GetParameterRetrieves the value of a single parameter from Systems Manager Parameter Store.
GetParametersRetrieves the values of one or more parameters from Systems Manager Parameter Store.
ListCommandsLists the commands sent to managed nodes in the current account and region.
ListInventoryEntriesLists the inventory entries for a specified managed node and inventory type.
RegisterManagedInstanceRegisters an on-premises server or virtual machine with Systems Manager so it can be managed as a managed node.
SendCommandRuns a Systems Manager document on one or more managed nodes, executing the specified commands or scripts.
StartSessionInitiates a connection to a managed node through AWS Systems Manager Session Manager.

_catch_all: AWS-ssm (catch-all)

#
Service
AWS-ssm

Description

Catch-all entry for AWS-ssm rules that match the service but not a specific eventName.

Fields #

NameDescription
eventNameThe name of the API action that was called.
eventSourceThe AWS service endpoint that received the request (e.g. iam.amazonaws.com).
eventTypeCloudTrail event category: AwsApiCall, AwsConsoleSignIn, AwsConsoleAction, AwsServiceEvent, or AwsVpceEvents.
userIdentityThe IAM entity that made the request (type, principalId, arn, accountId, sessionContext).
sourceIPAddressIP address of the caller, or the AWS service principal for service-initiated calls.
awsRegionAWS Region the request was made to.
requestParametersParameters sent with the request. Shape is action-specific; null when none.
responseElementsResponse elements. Shape is action-specific; null for reads or when absent.
errorCodeAWS service error code when the request failed. Absent on success.
errorMessageDescription of the error when errorCode is present.

CreateAssociation

#
Service
AWS-ssm

Description

Creates an association between a managed node and a Systems Manager document, defining the configuration state to apply.

Fields #

NameDescription
eventNameThe name of the API action that was called.
eventSourceThe AWS service endpoint that received the request (e.g. iam.amazonaws.com).
eventTypeCloudTrail event category: AwsApiCall, AwsConsoleSignIn, AwsConsoleAction, AwsServiceEvent, or AwsVpceEvents.
userIdentityThe IAM entity that made the request (type, principalId, arn, accountId, sessionContext).
sourceIPAddressIP address of the caller, or the AWS service principal for service-initiated calls.
awsRegionAWS Region the request was made to.
requestParametersParameters sent with the request. Shape is action-specific; null when none.
responseElementsResponse elements. Shape is action-specific; null for reads or when absent.
errorCodeAWS service error code when the request failed. Absent on success.
errorMessageDescription of the error when errorCode is present.

Common Indicators #

Field/value combinations most frequently checked by detection rules targeting this event, derived from cross-vendor predicate analysis.

FieldKindValueRulesVendors
Provider_Nameeqssm.amazonaws.com1 ruleelastic

Detection Rules #

View all rules referencing this event →

Elastic #

  • AWS SSM Inventory Reconnaissance by Rare User source medium: Detects the rare occurrence of a user or role accessing AWS Systems Manager (SSM) inventory APIs or running the AWS-GatherSoftwareInventory job. These APIs reveal detailed information about managed EC2 instances including installed software, patch compliance status, and command execution history. Adversaries may use these calls to collect software inventory while blending in with legitimate AWS operations. This is a New Terms rule that detects when a user accesses these reconnaissance APIs for the first time.↳ also matches DescribeInstancePatches, GetInventory, GetInventorySchema, ListCommands, ListInventoryEntries

CreateDocument

#
Service
AWS-ssm

Description

Creates a Systems Manager document that defines the actions to perform on managed nodes.

Fields #

NameDescription
eventNameThe name of the API action that was called.
eventSourceThe AWS service endpoint that received the request (e.g. iam.amazonaws.com).
eventTypeCloudTrail event category: AwsApiCall, AwsConsoleSignIn, AwsConsoleAction, AwsServiceEvent, or AwsVpceEvents.
userIdentityThe IAM entity that made the request (type, principalId, arn, accountId, sessionContext).
sourceIPAddressIP address of the caller, or the AWS service principal for service-initiated calls.
awsRegionAWS Region the request was made to.
requestParametersParameters sent with the request. Shape is action-specific; null when none.
responseElementsResponse elements. Shape is action-specific; null for reads or when absent.
errorCodeAWS service error code when the request failed. Absent on success.
errorMessageDescription of the error when errorCode is present.

Detection Rules #

View all rules referencing this event →

Elastic #

  • AWS SSM Command Document Created by Rare User source low: Identifies when an AWS Systems Manager (SSM) command document is created by a user or role who does not typically perform this action. Adversaries may create SSM command documents to execute commands on managed instances, potentially leading to unauthorized access, command and control, data exfiltration and more.

DescribeInstancePatches

#
Service
AWS-ssm

Description

Retrieves information about the patches on a specific managed node and their states relative to the patch baseline.

Fields #

NameDescription
eventNameThe name of the API action that was called.
eventSourceThe AWS service endpoint that received the request (e.g. iam.amazonaws.com).
eventTypeCloudTrail event category: AwsApiCall, AwsConsoleSignIn, AwsConsoleAction, AwsServiceEvent, or AwsVpceEvents.
userIdentityThe IAM entity that made the request (type, principalId, arn, accountId, sessionContext).
sourceIPAddressIP address of the caller, or the AWS service principal for service-initiated calls.
awsRegionAWS Region the request was made to.
requestParametersParameters sent with the request. Shape is action-specific; null when none.
responseElementsResponse elements. Shape is action-specific; null for reads or when absent.
errorCodeAWS service error code when the request failed. Absent on success.
errorMessageDescription of the error when errorCode is present.

Common Indicators #

Field/value combinations most frequently checked by detection rules targeting this event, derived from cross-vendor predicate analysis.

FieldKindValueRulesVendors
Provider_Nameeqssm.amazonaws.com1 ruleelastic

Detection Rules #

View all rules referencing this event →

Elastic #

  • AWS SSM Inventory Reconnaissance by Rare User source medium: Detects the rare occurrence of a user or role accessing AWS Systems Manager (SSM) inventory APIs or running the AWS-GatherSoftwareInventory job. These APIs reveal detailed information about managed EC2 instances including installed software, patch compliance status, and command execution history. Adversaries may use these calls to collect software inventory while blending in with legitimate AWS operations. This is a New Terms rule that detects when a user accesses these reconnaissance APIs for the first time.↳ also matches CreateAssociation, GetInventory, GetInventorySchema, ListCommands, ListInventoryEntries

GetInventory

#
Service
AWS-ssm

Description

Queries the Systems Manager inventory, returning aggregated data about managed nodes based on specified filters.

Fields #

NameDescription
eventNameThe name of the API action that was called.
eventSourceThe AWS service endpoint that received the request (e.g. iam.amazonaws.com).
eventTypeCloudTrail event category: AwsApiCall, AwsConsoleSignIn, AwsConsoleAction, AwsServiceEvent, or AwsVpceEvents.
userIdentityThe IAM entity that made the request (type, principalId, arn, accountId, sessionContext).
sourceIPAddressIP address of the caller, or the AWS service principal for service-initiated calls.
awsRegionAWS Region the request was made to.
requestParametersParameters sent with the request. Shape is action-specific; null when none.
responseElementsResponse elements. Shape is action-specific; null for reads or when absent.
errorCodeAWS service error code when the request failed. Absent on success.
errorMessageDescription of the error when errorCode is present.

Common Indicators #

Field/value combinations most frequently checked by detection rules targeting this event, derived from cross-vendor predicate analysis.

FieldKindValueRulesVendors
Provider_Nameeqssm.amazonaws.com1 ruleelastic

Detection Rules #

View all rules referencing this event →

Elastic #

GetInventorySchema

#
Service
AWS-ssm

Description

Returns a list of the metadata types currently available to populate a Systems Manager inventory.

Fields #

NameDescription
eventNameThe name of the API action that was called.
eventSourceThe AWS service endpoint that received the request (e.g. iam.amazonaws.com).
eventTypeCloudTrail event category: AwsApiCall, AwsConsoleSignIn, AwsConsoleAction, AwsServiceEvent, or AwsVpceEvents.
userIdentityThe IAM entity that made the request (type, principalId, arn, accountId, sessionContext).
sourceIPAddressIP address of the caller, or the AWS service principal for service-initiated calls.
awsRegionAWS Region the request was made to.
requestParametersParameters sent with the request. Shape is action-specific; null when none.
responseElementsResponse elements. Shape is action-specific; null for reads or when absent.
errorCodeAWS service error code when the request failed. Absent on success.
errorMessageDescription of the error when errorCode is present.

Common Indicators #

Field/value combinations most frequently checked by detection rules targeting this event, derived from cross-vendor predicate analysis.

FieldKindValueRulesVendors
Provider_Nameeqssm.amazonaws.com1 ruleelastic

Detection Rules #

View all rules referencing this event →

Elastic #

  • AWS SSM Inventory Reconnaissance by Rare User source medium: Detects the rare occurrence of a user or role accessing AWS Systems Manager (SSM) inventory APIs or running the AWS-GatherSoftwareInventory job. These APIs reveal detailed information about managed EC2 instances including installed software, patch compliance status, and command execution history. Adversaries may use these calls to collect software inventory while blending in with legitimate AWS operations. This is a New Terms rule that detects when a user accesses these reconnaissance APIs for the first time.↳ also matches CreateAssociation, DescribeInstancePatches, GetInventory, ListCommands, ListInventoryEntries

GetParameter

#
Service
AWS-ssm

Description

Retrieves the value of a single parameter from Systems Manager Parameter Store.

Fields #

NameDescription
eventNameThe name of the API action that was called.
eventSourceThe AWS service endpoint that received the request (e.g. iam.amazonaws.com).
eventTypeCloudTrail event category: AwsApiCall, AwsConsoleSignIn, AwsConsoleAction, AwsServiceEvent, or AwsVpceEvents.
userIdentityThe IAM entity that made the request (type, principalId, arn, accountId, sessionContext).
sourceIPAddressIP address of the caller, or the AWS service principal for service-initiated calls.
awsRegionAWS Region the request was made to.
requestParametersParameters sent with the request. Shape is action-specific; null when none.
responseElementsResponse elements. Shape is action-specific; null for reads or when absent.
errorCodeAWS service error code when the request failed. Absent on success.
errorMessageDescription of the error when errorCode is present.

Common Indicators #

Field/value combinations most frequently checked by detection rules targeting this event, derived from cross-vendor predicate analysis.

FieldKindValueRulesVendors
EventTypeinGetParameters1 ruleelastic
Provider_Nameeqssm.amazonaws.com1 ruleelastic

Detection Rules #

View all rules referencing this event →

Elastic #

  • AWS Systems Manager SecureString Parameter Request with Decryption Flag source medium: Detects the first occurrence of a user identity accessing AWS Systems Manager (SSM) SecureString parameters using the GetParameter or GetParameters API actions with credentials in the request parameters. This could indicate that the user is accessing sensitive information. This rule detects when a user accesses a SecureString parameter with the withDecryption parameter set to true. This is a New Terms rule that detects the first occurrence of an AWS identity accessing SecureString parameters with decryption.↳ also matches GetParameters

GetParameters

#
Service
AWS-ssm

Description

Retrieves the values of one or more parameters from Systems Manager Parameter Store.

Fields #

NameDescription
eventNameThe name of the API action that was called.
eventSourceThe AWS service endpoint that received the request (e.g. iam.amazonaws.com).
eventTypeCloudTrail event category: AwsApiCall, AwsConsoleSignIn, AwsConsoleAction, AwsServiceEvent, or AwsVpceEvents.
userIdentityThe IAM entity that made the request (type, principalId, arn, accountId, sessionContext).
sourceIPAddressIP address of the caller, or the AWS service principal for service-initiated calls.
awsRegionAWS Region the request was made to.
requestParametersParameters sent with the request. Shape is action-specific; null when none.
responseElementsResponse elements. Shape is action-specific; null for reads or when absent.
errorCodeAWS service error code when the request failed. Absent on success.
errorMessageDescription of the error when errorCode is present.

Common Indicators #

Field/value combinations most frequently checked by detection rules targeting this event, derived from cross-vendor predicate analysis.

FieldKindValueRulesVendors
EventTypeinGetParameters1 ruleelastic
Provider_Nameeqssm.amazonaws.com1 ruleelastic

Detection Rules #

View all rules referencing this event →

Elastic #

  • AWS Systems Manager SecureString Parameter Request with Decryption Flag source medium: Detects the first occurrence of a user identity accessing AWS Systems Manager (SSM) SecureString parameters using the GetParameter or GetParameters API actions with credentials in the request parameters. This could indicate that the user is accessing sensitive information. This rule detects when a user accesses a SecureString parameter with the withDecryption parameter set to true. This is a New Terms rule that detects the first occurrence of an AWS identity accessing SecureString parameters with decryption.↳ also matches GetParameter

ListCommands

#
Service
AWS-ssm

Description

Lists the commands sent to managed nodes in the current account and region.

Fields #

NameDescription
eventNameThe name of the API action that was called.
eventSourceThe AWS service endpoint that received the request (e.g. iam.amazonaws.com).
eventTypeCloudTrail event category: AwsApiCall, AwsConsoleSignIn, AwsConsoleAction, AwsServiceEvent, or AwsVpceEvents.
userIdentityThe IAM entity that made the request (type, principalId, arn, accountId, sessionContext).
sourceIPAddressIP address of the caller, or the AWS service principal for service-initiated calls.
awsRegionAWS Region the request was made to.
requestParametersParameters sent with the request. Shape is action-specific; null when none.
responseElementsResponse elements. Shape is action-specific; null for reads or when absent.
errorCodeAWS service error code when the request failed. Absent on success.
errorMessageDescription of the error when errorCode is present.

Common Indicators #

Field/value combinations most frequently checked by detection rules targeting this event, derived from cross-vendor predicate analysis.

FieldKindValueRulesVendors
Provider_Nameeqssm.amazonaws.com1 ruleelastic

Detection Rules #

View all rules referencing this event →

Elastic #

ListInventoryEntries

#
Service
AWS-ssm

Description

Lists the inventory entries for a specified managed node and inventory type.

Fields #

NameDescription
eventNameThe name of the API action that was called.
eventSourceThe AWS service endpoint that received the request (e.g. iam.amazonaws.com).
eventTypeCloudTrail event category: AwsApiCall, AwsConsoleSignIn, AwsConsoleAction, AwsServiceEvent, or AwsVpceEvents.
userIdentityThe IAM entity that made the request (type, principalId, arn, accountId, sessionContext).
sourceIPAddressIP address of the caller, or the AWS service principal for service-initiated calls.
awsRegionAWS Region the request was made to.
requestParametersParameters sent with the request. Shape is action-specific; null when none.
responseElementsResponse elements. Shape is action-specific; null for reads or when absent.
errorCodeAWS service error code when the request failed. Absent on success.
errorMessageDescription of the error when errorCode is present.

Common Indicators #

Field/value combinations most frequently checked by detection rules targeting this event, derived from cross-vendor predicate analysis.

FieldKindValueRulesVendors
Provider_Nameeqssm.amazonaws.com1 ruleelastic

Detection Rules #

View all rules referencing this event →

Elastic #

  • AWS SSM Inventory Reconnaissance by Rare User source medium: Detects the rare occurrence of a user or role accessing AWS Systems Manager (SSM) inventory APIs or running the AWS-GatherSoftwareInventory job. These APIs reveal detailed information about managed EC2 instances including installed software, patch compliance status, and command execution history. Adversaries may use these calls to collect software inventory while blending in with legitimate AWS operations. This is a New Terms rule that detects when a user accesses these reconnaissance APIs for the first time.↳ also matches CreateAssociation, DescribeInstancePatches, GetInventory, GetInventorySchema, ListCommands

RegisterManagedInstance

#
Service
AWS-ssm

Description

Registers an on-premises server or virtual machine with Systems Manager so it can be managed as a managed node.

Fields #

NameDescription
eventNameThe name of the API action that was called.
eventSourceThe AWS service endpoint that received the request (e.g. iam.amazonaws.com).
eventTypeCloudTrail event category: AwsApiCall, AwsConsoleSignIn, AwsConsoleAction, AwsServiceEvent, or AwsVpceEvents.
userIdentityThe IAM entity that made the request (type, principalId, arn, accountId, sessionContext).
sourceIPAddressIP address of the caller, or the AWS service principal for service-initiated calls.
awsRegionAWS Region the request was made to.
requestParametersParameters sent with the request. Shape is action-specific; null when none.
responseElementsResponse elements. Shape is action-specific; null for reads or when absent.
errorCodeAWS service error code when the request failed. Absent on success.
errorMessageDescription of the error when errorCode is present.

Detection Rules #

View all rules referencing this event →

Sigma #

SendCommand

#
Service
AWS-ssm

Description

Runs a Systems Manager document on one or more managed nodes, executing the specified commands or scripts.

Fields #

NameDescription
eventNameThe name of the API action that was called.
eventSourceThe AWS service endpoint that received the request (e.g. iam.amazonaws.com).
eventTypeCloudTrail event category: AwsApiCall, AwsConsoleSignIn, AwsConsoleAction, AwsServiceEvent, or AwsVpceEvents.
userIdentityThe IAM entity that made the request (type, principalId, arn, accountId, sessionContext).
sourceIPAddressIP address of the caller, or the AWS service principal for service-initiated calls.
awsRegionAWS Region the request was made to.
requestParametersParameters sent with the request. Shape is action-specific; null when none.
responseElementsResponse elements. Shape is action-specific; null for reads or when absent.
errorCodeAWS service error code when the request failed. Absent on success.
errorMessageDescription of the error when errorCode is present.

Common Indicators #

Field/value combinations most frequently checked by detection rules targeting this event, derived from cross-vendor predicate analysis.

FieldKindValueRulesVendors
EventTypeeqSendCommand1 ruleelastic
aws::errorCodeeqSuccess1 rulesigma
aws::errorCodeis_null1 rulekusto, panther, sigma
aws::eventNameeqSendCommand1 rulepanther, sigma

Detection Rules #

View all rules referencing this event →

Sigma #

Elastic #

  • AWS SSM `SendCommand` Execution by Rare User source low: Detects the execution of commands or scripts on EC2 instances using AWS Systems Manager (SSM), such as RunShellScript, RunPowerShellScript or custom documents. While legitimate users may employ these commands for management tasks, they can also be exploited by attackers with credentials to establish persistence, install malware, or execute reverse shells for further access to compromised instances. This is a New Terms rule that looks for the first instance of this behavior by a user or role.

StartSession

#
Service
AWS-ssm

Description

Initiates a connection to a managed node through AWS Systems Manager Session Manager.

Fields #

NameDescription
eventNameThe name of the API action that was called.
eventSourceThe AWS service endpoint that received the request (e.g. iam.amazonaws.com).
eventTypeCloudTrail event category: AwsApiCall, AwsConsoleSignIn, AwsConsoleAction, AwsServiceEvent, or AwsVpceEvents.
userIdentityThe IAM entity that made the request (type, principalId, arn, accountId, sessionContext).
sourceIPAddressIP address of the caller, or the AWS service principal for service-initiated calls.
awsRegionAWS Region the request was made to.
requestParametersParameters sent with the request. Shape is action-specific; null when none.
responseElementsResponse elements. Shape is action-specific; null for reads or when absent.
errorCodeAWS service error code when the request failed. Absent on success.
errorMessageDescription of the error when errorCode is present.

Detection Rules #

View all rules referencing this event →

Elastic #

  • AWS SSM Session Started to EC2 Instance source medium: Identifies the first occurrence of an AWS user or role establishing a session via SSM to an EC2 instance. Adversaries may use AWS Session Manager to establish a session to an EC2 instance to execute commands on the instance. This can be used to gain access to the instance and perform actions such as privilege escalation.