Detection rules › Sublime MQL

Generic service abuse from newly registered domain

Severity
high
Type
rule
Source
github.com/sublime-security/sublime-rules

Detects messages from services that write the true sender to the reply-to field, where the sender has no prior legitimate message history and is newly registered. Indicative of service abuse.

Threat classification

Sublime's own taxonomy (not MITRE ATT&CK).

CategoryValues
Attack typesBEC/Fraud, Callback Phishing, Credential Phishing
Tactics and techniquesEvasion, Social engineering

Event coverage

Rule body MQL

type.inbound
and any(headers.reply_to, network.whois(.email.domain).days_old < 30)
and sender.email.domain.domain in $replyto_service_domains
// 
// This rule makes use of a beta feature and is subject to change without notice
// using the beta feature in custom rules is not suggested until it has been formally released
// 
and not beta.profile.by_reply_to().solicited
and not beta.profile.by_reply_to().any_messages_benign

Detection logic

Scope: inbound message.

Detects messages from services that write the true sender to the reply-to field, where the sender has no prior legitimate message history and is newly registered. Indicative of service abuse.

  1. inbound message
  2. any of headers.reply_to where:
    • network.whois(.email.domain).days_old < 30
  3. sender.email.domain.domain in $replyto_service_domains
  4. not:
    • beta.profile.by_reply_to().solicited
  5. not:
    • beta.profile.by_reply_to().any_messages_benign

Inspects: headers.reply_to, headers.reply_to[].email.domain, sender.email.domain.domain, type.inbound. Sensors: beta.profile.by_reply_to, network.whois. Reference lists: $replyto_service_domains.