Azure Compute Azure-Microsoft.Compute

7 operations, identified by operationName in the audit log.

operationName	Description
_catch_all	Catch-all for Azure-Microsoft.Compute rules matching the resource provider but no specific operation.
Microsoft.Compute/restorePointCollections/delete	Deletes a restore point collection, removing disk snapshots associated with a VM; may be used to destroy recovery points.
Microsoft.Compute/snapshots/delete	Deletes a managed disk snapshot; adversaries may delete snapshots to impair recovery.
Microsoft.Compute/snapshots/write	Creates or updates a managed disk snapshot; may be used for data exfiltration by copying a disk to an attacker-controlled subscription.
Microsoft.Compute/virtualMachines/extensions/write	Installs or updates a VM extension, enabling arbitrary code execution on the guest OS via the Azure agent.
Microsoft.Compute/virtualMachines/runCommand/action	Executes a command script on a virtual machine via the Azure control plane; bypasses network ACLs and does not require direct VM access.
Microsoft.Compute/virtualMachines/write	Creates or updates a virtual machine resource, including configuration of the OS image, networking, managed identity, and boot diagnostics.

_catch_all: Azure Compute (catch-all)

Resource provider: Azure-Microsoft.Compute

Description

Catch-all for Azure-Microsoft.Compute rules matching the resource provider but no specific operation.

Fields #

Name	Description
`OperationName`	Localized display name of the ARM operation. Sentinel also exposes OperationNameValue (the uppercase ARM operation string the catalog keys on).
`OperationNameValue`	The ARM operation string (e.g. MICROSOFT.COMPUTE/VIRTUALMACHINES/WRITE). The per-event discriminator; case-insensitive.
`ResourceProvider`	The Azure resource-provider namespace (e.g. Microsoft.Compute).
`ResourceId`	Full ARM resource id the operation acted on.
`Caller`	Identity that initiated the operation (UPN, object id, or service principal).
`CallerIpAddress`	IP address of the caller.
`ActivityStatusValue`	Operation status (Started, Succeeded, Failed, Accepted).
`Level`	Severity level of the activity record (Informational, Warning, Error, Critical).
`Authorization`	RBAC authorization context: the action evaluated, scope, and role assignment.
`Properties`	Operation-specific properties bag; shape varies by operation.
`SubscriptionId`	GUID of the subscription the resource belongs to.
`TimeGenerated`	UTC timestamp when the event was recorded.

References #

Azure resource provider operations reference https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/role-based-access-control/resource-provider-operations
Azure Monitor AzureActivity table schema https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-monitor/reference/tables/azureactivity

Microsoft.Compute/restorePointCollections/delete

Resource provider: Azure-Microsoft.Compute

Description

Deletes a restore point collection, removing disk snapshots associated with a VM; may be used to destroy recovery points.

Fields #

Name	Description
`OperationName`	Localized display name of the ARM operation. Sentinel also exposes OperationNameValue (the uppercase ARM operation string the catalog keys on).
`OperationNameValue`	The ARM operation string (e.g. MICROSOFT.COMPUTE/VIRTUALMACHINES/WRITE). The per-event discriminator; case-insensitive.
`ResourceProvider`	The Azure resource-provider namespace (e.g. Microsoft.Compute).
`ResourceId`	Full ARM resource id the operation acted on.
`Caller`	Identity that initiated the operation (UPN, object id, or service principal).
`CallerIpAddress`	IP address of the caller.
`ActivityStatusValue`	Operation status (Started, Succeeded, Failed, Accepted).
`Level`	Severity level of the activity record (Informational, Warning, Error, Critical).
`Authorization`	RBAC authorization context: the action evaluated, scope, and role assignment.
`Properties`	Operation-specific properties bag; shape varies by operation.
`SubscriptionId`	GUID of the subscription the resource belongs to.
`TimeGenerated`	UTC timestamp when the event was recorded.

Common Indicators #

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

Field	Kind	Value	Rules	Vendors
`EventType`	eq	`MICROSOFT.COMPUTE/RESTOREPOINTCOLLECTIONS/DELETE`	2 rules	elastic
`event.outcome`	in	`Success`	2 rules	elastic
`event.outcome`	in	`success`	2 rules	elastic

Detection Rules #

View all rules referencing this event →

Elastic #

Azure Compute Restore Point Collection Deleted by Unusual User source medium: Identifies the deletion of Azure Restore Point Collections by a user who has not previously performed this activity. Restore Point Collections contain recovery points for virtual machines, enabling point-in-time recovery capabilities. Adversaries may delete these collections to prevent recovery during ransomware attacks or to cover their tracks during malicious operations.
Azure Compute Restore Point Collections Deleted source high: Identifies multiple Azure Restore Point Collections being deleted by a single user within a short time period. Restore Point Collections contain recovery points for virtual machines, enabling point-in-time recovery capabilities. Mass deletion of these collections is a common tactic used by adversaries during ransomware attacks to prevent victim recovery or to maximize impact during destructive operations. Multiple deletions in rapid succession may indicate malicious intent.

References #

Azure resource provider operations reference https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/role-based-access-control/resource-provider-operations
Azure Monitor AzureActivity table schema https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-monitor/reference/tables/azureactivity

Microsoft.Compute/snapshots/delete

Resource provider: Azure-Microsoft.Compute

Description

Deletes a managed disk snapshot; adversaries may delete snapshots to impair recovery.

Fields #

Name	Description
`OperationName`	Localized display name of the ARM operation. Sentinel also exposes OperationNameValue (the uppercase ARM operation string the catalog keys on).
`OperationNameValue`	The ARM operation string (e.g. MICROSOFT.COMPUTE/VIRTUALMACHINES/WRITE). The per-event discriminator; case-insensitive.
`ResourceProvider`	The Azure resource-provider namespace (e.g. Microsoft.Compute).
`ResourceId`	Full ARM resource id the operation acted on.
`Caller`	Identity that initiated the operation (UPN, object id, or service principal).
`CallerIpAddress`	IP address of the caller.
`ActivityStatusValue`	Operation status (Started, Succeeded, Failed, Accepted).
`Level`	Severity level of the activity record (Informational, Warning, Error, Critical).
`Authorization`	RBAC authorization context: the action evaluated, scope, and role assignment.
`Properties`	Operation-specific properties bag; shape varies by operation.
`SubscriptionId`	GUID of the subscription the resource belongs to.
`TimeGenerated`	UTC timestamp when the event was recorded.

Common Indicators #

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

Field	Kind	Value	Rules	Vendors
`azure.activitylogs.identity.claims_initiated_by_user.name`	is_not_null		2 rules	elastic
`azure.activitylogs.operation_name`	eq	`MICROSOFT.COMPUTE/SNAPSHOTS/DELETE`	2 rules	elastic
`azure.activitylogs.properties.status_code`	eq	`Accepted`	2 rules	elastic

Detection Rules #

View all rules referencing this event →

Elastic #

Azure Compute Snapshot Deletion by Unusual User and Resource Group source low: Identifies when an Azure disk snapshot is deleted by an unusual user in a specific resource group. Snapshots are critical for backup, disaster recovery, and forensic analysis. Adversaries may delete snapshots to prevent data recovery, eliminate forensic evidence, or disrupt backup strategies before executing ransomware or other destructive attacks. Monitoring snapshot deletions is essential for detecting potential attacks targeting backup and recovery capabilities.
Azure Compute Snapshot Deletions by User source medium: Identifies when a single user or service principal deletes multiple Azure disk snapshots within a short time period. This behavior may indicate an adversary attempting to inhibit system recovery capabilities, destroy backup evidence, or prepare for a ransomware attack. Mass deletion of snapshots eliminates restore points and significantly impacts disaster recovery capabilities, making it a critical indicator of potentially malicious activity.

References #

Azure resource provider operations reference https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/role-based-access-control/resource-provider-operations
Azure Monitor AzureActivity table schema https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-monitor/reference/tables/azureactivity

Microsoft.Compute/snapshots/write

Resource provider: Azure-Microsoft.Compute

Description

Creates or updates a managed disk snapshot; may be used for data exfiltration by copying a disk to an attacker-controlled subscription.

Fields #

Name	Description
`OperationName`	Localized display name of the ARM operation. Sentinel also exposes OperationNameValue (the uppercase ARM operation string the catalog keys on).
`OperationNameValue`	The ARM operation string (e.g. MICROSOFT.COMPUTE/VIRTUALMACHINES/WRITE). The per-event discriminator; case-insensitive.
`ResourceProvider`	The Azure resource-provider namespace (e.g. Microsoft.Compute).
`ResourceId`	Full ARM resource id the operation acted on.
`Caller`	Identity that initiated the operation (UPN, object id, or service principal).
`CallerIpAddress`	IP address of the caller.
`ActivityStatusValue`	Operation status (Started, Succeeded, Failed, Accepted).
`Level`	Severity level of the activity record (Informational, Warning, Error, Critical).
`Authorization`	RBAC authorization context: the action evaluated, scope, and role assignment.
`Properties`	Operation-specific properties bag; shape varies by operation.
`SubscriptionId`	GUID of the subscription the resource belongs to.
`TimeGenerated`	UTC timestamp when the event was recorded.

Common Indicators #

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

Field	Kind	Value	Rules	Vendors
`ActivityStatusValue`	eq	`Success`	1 rule	kusto
`count_`	ge	`5`	1 rule	kusto

Detection Rules #

View all rules referencing this event →

Kusto #

Rare subscription-level operations in Azure source low: This query looks for a few sensitive subscription-level events based on Azure Activity Logs. For example, this monitors for the operation name 'Create or Update Snapshot', which is used for creating backups but could be misused by attackers to dump hashes or extract sensitive information from the disk.

References #

Azure resource provider operations reference https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/role-based-access-control/resource-provider-operations
Azure Monitor AzureActivity table schema https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-monitor/reference/tables/azureactivity

Microsoft.Compute/virtualMachines/extensions/write

Resource provider: Azure-Microsoft.Compute

Description

Installs or updates a VM extension, enabling arbitrary code execution on the guest OS via the Azure agent.

Fields #

Name	Description
`OperationName`	Localized display name of the ARM operation. Sentinel also exposes OperationNameValue (the uppercase ARM operation string the catalog keys on).
`OperationNameValue`	The ARM operation string (e.g. MICROSOFT.COMPUTE/VIRTUALMACHINES/WRITE). The per-event discriminator; case-insensitive.
`ResourceProvider`	The Azure resource-provider namespace (e.g. Microsoft.Compute).
`ResourceId`	Full ARM resource id the operation acted on.
`Caller`	Identity that initiated the operation (UPN, object id, or service principal).
`CallerIpAddress`	IP address of the caller.
`ActivityStatusValue`	Operation status (Started, Succeeded, Failed, Accepted).
`Level`	Severity level of the activity record (Informational, Warning, Error, Critical).
`Authorization`	RBAC authorization context: the action evaluated, scope, and role assignment.
`Properties`	Operation-specific properties bag; shape varies by operation.
`SubscriptionId`	GUID of the subscription the resource belongs to.
`TimeGenerated`	UTC timestamp when the event was recorded.

Common Indicators #

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

Field	Kind	Value	Rules	Vendors
`CategoryValue`	eq	`Administrative`	1 rule	kusto, sigma
`azure.activitylogs.identity.authorization.evidence.principal_type`	eq	`User`	1 rule	elastic
`azure_ad::operation_name_value`	eq	`Microsoft.Compute/virtualMachines/runCommand/action`	1 rule	kusto

Detection Rules #

View all rules referencing this event →

Elastic #

Azure VM Extension Deployment by User source medium: Identifies the successful deployment of a high-risk Azure Virtual Machine extension by an interactive user principal. Attackers with privileged Azure RBAC roles can abuse VM extensions such as VMAccess, CustomScriptExtension, and RunCommand to execute arbitrary code, create backdoor accounts, harvest credentials, and establish persistence on Azure-hosted virtual machines without requiring direct network access to the VM.

Kusto #

Detect Custom Script or Run Command deployment by risky user source: This detection rule flags when a user with risk events in Entra ID Identity Protection is deploying Custom Scripts or Run Commands on Azure or Azure Arc machines. This may indicate a compromised cloud user that is now performaring lateral movement from the Azure control plane to Virtual Machines in other environments.↳ also matches Microsoft.Compute/virtualMachines/runCommand/action

References #

Azure resource provider operations reference https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/role-based-access-control/resource-provider-operations
Azure Monitor AzureActivity table schema https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-monitor/reference/tables/azureactivity

Microsoft.Compute/virtualMachines/runCommand/action

Resource provider: Azure-Microsoft.Compute

Description

Executes a command script on a virtual machine via the Azure control plane; bypasses network ACLs and does not require direct VM access.

Fields #

Name	Description
`OperationName`	Localized display name of the ARM operation. Sentinel also exposes OperationNameValue (the uppercase ARM operation string the catalog keys on).
`OperationNameValue`	The ARM operation string (e.g. MICROSOFT.COMPUTE/VIRTUALMACHINES/WRITE). The per-event discriminator; case-insensitive.
`ResourceProvider`	The Azure resource-provider namespace (e.g. Microsoft.Compute).
`ResourceId`	Full ARM resource id the operation acted on.
`Caller`	Identity that initiated the operation (UPN, object id, or service principal).
`CallerIpAddress`	IP address of the caller.
`ActivityStatusValue`	Operation status (Started, Succeeded, Failed, Accepted).
`Level`	Severity level of the activity record (Informational, Warning, Error, Critical).
`Authorization`	RBAC authorization context: the action evaluated, scope, and role assignment.
`Properties`	Operation-specific properties bag; shape varies by operation.
`SubscriptionId`	GUID of the subscription the resource belongs to.
`TimeGenerated`	UTC timestamp when the event was recorded.

Common Indicators #

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

Field	Kind	Value	Rules	Vendors
`Authorization`	contains	`virtualmachines`	2 rules	kusto
`azure_ad::operation_name_value`	eq	`Microsoft.Compute/virtualMachines/runCommand/action`	2 rules	kusto
`list_ActivityStatusValue`	contains	`succeeded`	2 rules	kusto
`list_ActivityStatusValue`	contains	`success`	2 rules	kusto
`CategoryValue`	eq	`Administrative`	1 rule	kusto, sigma
`aws::eventSource`	eq	`Azure AD`	1 rule	kusto

Detection Rules #

View all rules referencing this event →

Elastic #

Azure Compute VM Command Executed source medium: Identifies command execution on a virtual machine (VM) in Azure. A Virtual Machine Contributor role lets you manage virtual machines, but not access them, nor access the virtual network or storage account they’re connected to. However, commands can be run via PowerShell on the VM, which execute as System. Other roles, such as certain Administrator roles may be able to execute commands on a VM as well.

Kusto #

Azure VM Run Command operations executing a unique PowerShell script source medium: Identifies when Azure Run command is used to execute a PowerShell script on a VM that is unique. The uniqueness of the PowerShell script is determined by taking a combined hash of the cmdLets it imports and the file size of the PowerShell script. Alerts from this detection indicate a unique PowerShell was executed in your environment.
Azure VM Run Command operation executed during suspicious login window source high: Identifies when the Azure Run Command operation is executed by a UserPrincipalName and IP Address that has resulted in a recent user entity behaviour alert.
Detect Custom Script or Run Command deployment by risky user source: This detection rule flags when a user with risk events in Entra ID Identity Protection is deploying Custom Scripts or Run Commands on Azure or Azure Arc machines. This may indicate a compromised cloud user that is now performaring lateral movement from the Azure control plane to Virtual Machines in other environments.↳ also matches Microsoft.Compute/virtualMachines/extensions/write

References #

Azure resource provider operations reference https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/role-based-access-control/resource-provider-operations
Azure Monitor AzureActivity table schema https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-monitor/reference/tables/azureactivity

Microsoft.Compute/virtualMachines/write

Resource provider: Azure-Microsoft.Compute

Description

Creates or updates a virtual machine resource, including configuration of the OS image, networking, managed identity, and boot diagnostics.

Fields #

Name	Description
`OperationName`	Localized display name of the ARM operation. Sentinel also exposes OperationNameValue (the uppercase ARM operation string the catalog keys on).
`OperationNameValue`	The ARM operation string (e.g. MICROSOFT.COMPUTE/VIRTUALMACHINES/WRITE). The per-event discriminator; case-insensitive.
`ResourceProvider`	The Azure resource-provider namespace (e.g. Microsoft.Compute).
`ResourceId`	Full ARM resource id the operation acted on.
`Caller`	Identity that initiated the operation (UPN, object id, or service principal).
`CallerIpAddress`	IP address of the caller.
`ActivityStatusValue`	Operation status (Started, Succeeded, Failed, Accepted).
`Level`	Severity level of the activity record (Informational, Warning, Error, Critical).
`Authorization`	RBAC authorization context: the action evaluated, scope, and role assignment.
`Properties`	Operation-specific properties bag; shape varies by operation.
`SubscriptionId`	GUID of the subscription the resource belongs to.
`TimeGenerated`	UTC timestamp when the event was recorded.

Common Indicators #

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

Field	Kind	Value	Rules	Vendors
`azure_ad::operation_name_value`	in	`microsoft.resources/deployments/write`	3 rules	kusto
`azure_ad::operation_name_value`	in	`microsoft.compute/virtualmachines/write`	2 rules	kusto
`ActivityStatusValue`	starts_with	`Accept`	2 rules	kusto
`Properties`	contains	`vmsize`	2 rules	kusto
`vmSize`	contains	`token`	2 rules	kusto
`anomalies`	gt	`0`	1 rule	kusto
`baseline`	gt	`0`	1 rule	kusto
`properties.statusCode`	eq	`Created`	1 rule	sigma

Detection Rules #

View all rules referencing this event →

Sigma #

Virtual Machine Created source informational: Creates a new virtual machine.

Kusto #

Suspicious number of resource creation or deployment activities source medium: Indicates when an anomalous number of VM creations or deployment activities occur in Azure via the AzureActivity log. This query generates the baseline pattern of cloud resource creation by an individual and generates an anomaly when any unusual spike is detected. These anomalies from unusual or privileged users could be an indication of a cloud infrastructure takedown by an adversary.
Creation of expensive computes in Azure source low: Identifies the creation of large size or expensive VMs (with GPUs or with a large number of virtual CPUs) in Azure. An adversary may create new or update existing virtual machines to evade defenses or use them for cryptomining purposes. For Windows/Linux Vm Sizes, see https://docs.microsoft.com/azure/virtual-machines/windows/sizes Azure VM Naming Conventions, see https://docs.microsoft.com/azure/virtual-machines/vm-naming-conventions
NRT Creation of expensive computes in Azure source medium: Identifies the creation of large size or expensive VMs (with GPUs or with a large number of virtual CPUs) in Azure. An adversary may create new or update existing virtual machines to evade defenses or use them for cryptomining purposes. For Windows/Linux Vm Sizes, see https://docs.microsoft.com/azure/virtual-machines/windows/sizes Azure VM Naming Conventions, see https://docs.microsoft.com/azure/virtual-machines/vm-naming-conventions

Show 1 more (4 total)

Suspicious Resource deployment source low: Identifies when a rare Resource and ResourceGroup deployment occurs by a previously unseen caller.

References #

Azure resource provider operations reference https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/role-based-access-control/resource-provider-operations
Azure Monitor AzureActivity table schema https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-monitor/reference/tables/azureactivity

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`type:`	`events` / `rules` / `providers`
`vendor:`	`sigma` / `elastic` / `splunk` / `kusto` / `chronicle` (vendor name alone also works: `sigma:`, `kql:`, `secops:`…)
`tactic:`	TA-id, slug, or name: `credential_access`, `TA0006`
`technique:`	technique or sub-technique ID: `T1003`, `T1003.001` (alias `tech:`)
`severity:`	`critical` / `high` / `medium` / `low` / `informational` (alias `sev:`)
`risk_score`	Numeric comparison on the Elastic risk score (0 to 100): `risk_score>50`, `risk_score<=20`, `risk_score=99` (alias `risk`; Elastic rules only)
`stages:`	Rules with exactly N pipeline stages
`correlation:`	`single_event` / `sequence` / `alternatives` / `alternatives_cross_log` / `all_required` / `correlated`
`with:`	Co-occurrence event-id; stacks (`with:4624 with:4769`) to require all, while a comma list in one occurrence (`with:4624,4769`) is an either-or group. Implies multi-event
`like:`	Structural neighbors of a rule slug (equivalents + subsumption stricter / broader): `like:comsvcs_lsass_memory_dump-splunk-sysmon`
`groupby:`	Entity-grouping substring match against `group_by_keys`: `groupby:user`, `groupby:host`
`uses:`	Rules whose predicate tree touches the field (any kind, any value): `uses:CommandLine`
`excludes:`	Rules with top-level `not()` clauses on the field (FP whitelists): `excludes:ParentImage`
`field:` / `value:`	Predicate search; narrows rule cards to those with a matching leaf and drives the indicator tier. Unquoted = substring, wildcards allowed (`value:mimikatz`)
`indicator:`	Shorthand for `field:F value:V`: `indicator:Image=*\powershell.exe`
`kind:`	Filter by predicate kind. Narrows rule cards to those carrying a matching predicate leaf (`vendor:elastic kind:cidr_match`) and drives the indicator tier: `contains` / `starts_with` / `ends_with` / `regex` / `cidr` / `eq` / `in` … (operator aliases `op:`/`match:`)
`has:` / `no:`	`sample`, `field`, `notes`, `refs`, `trace`, `thirdparty`, `rule`, `pattern`, `timewindow`, `threshold`, `newterms`, `sigma`/`elastic`/`splunk`/`kusto`/`chronicle`
`-op:val`	Exclude matches; works on most operators but not `type:`/`like:`/`has:`/`no:` (use `no:<flag>` to exclude a rule flag): `tactic:execution -vendor:splunk`. Standalone `-kind:`/`-field:`/`-value:` drop every rule carrying a matching predicate leaf (`type:rules -kind:is_null`)
`field:"…"` / `value:"…"`	Quoted value = anchored exact match (also allows spaces): `value:"net user"`
`a,b`	Comma = OR inside one operator (`vendor:sigma,elastic`, `severity:high,critical`); repeating a facet merges the same way. `field:`/`value:` never split (literal commas)
`vendors:` / `stage:`	Singular and plural spellings fold to the canonical operator and value: `tactics:` = `tactic:`, `type:event` = `type:events`, `correlation:sequences` = `correlation:sequence`, `has:thresholds` = `has:threshold`
`"quoted phrase"`	Exact-match a multi-word phrase (free text)