Detection rules › Splunk
Windows Get-AdComputer Unconstrained Delegation Discovery
The following analytic detects the use of the Get-ADComputer cmdlet with parameters indicating a search for Windows endpoints with Kerberos Unconstrained Delegation. It leverages PowerShell Script Block Logging (EventCode=4104) to identify this specific activity. This behavior is significant as it may indicate an attempt by adversaries or Red Teams to gain situational awareness and perform Active Directory discovery. If confirmed malicious, this activity could allow attackers to identify high-value targets for further exploitation, potentially leading to privilege escalation or lateral movement within the network.
Known false positives
- Administrators or power users may leverage PowerView for system management or troubleshooting.
MITRE ATT&CK coverage
| Tactic | Techniques |
|---|---|
| Discovery |
Telemetry coverage
| Provider | Record / event type |
|---|---|
| PowerShell | Event ID 4104: Creating Scriptblock text (MessageNumber of MessageTotal). |
Rule body
name: Windows Get-AdComputer Unconstrained Delegation Discovery
id: c8640777-469f-4638-ab44-c34a3233ffac
version: 12
creation_date: '2022-03-28'
modification_date: '2026-05-13'
author: Mauricio Velazco, Splunk
status: production
type: TTP
description: The following analytic detects the use of the Get-ADComputer cmdlet with parameters indicating a search for Windows endpoints with Kerberos Unconstrained Delegation. It leverages PowerShell Script Block Logging (EventCode=4104) to identify this specific activity. This behavior is significant as it may indicate an attempt by adversaries or Red Teams to gain situational awareness and perform Active Directory discovery. If confirmed malicious, this activity could allow attackers to identify high-value targets for further exploitation, potentially leading to privilege escalation or lateral movement within the network.
data_source:
- Powershell Script Block Logging 4104
search: |-
`powershell` EventCode=4104 (ScriptBlockText = "*Get-ADComputer*" AND ScriptBlockText = "*TrustedForDelegation*")
| fillnull
| stats count min(_time) as firstTime max(_time) as lastTime
BY dest signature signature_id
user_id vendor_product EventID
Guid Opcode Name
Path ProcessID ScriptBlockId
ScriptBlockText
| `security_content_ctime(firstTime)`
| `security_content_ctime(lastTime)`
| `windows_get_adcomputer_unconstrained_delegation_discovery_filter`
how_to_implement: The following analytic requires PowerShell operational logs to be imported. Modify the powershell macro as needed to match the sourcetype or add index. This analytic is specific to 4104, or PowerShell Script Block Logging.
known_false_positives: Administrators or power users may leverage PowerView for system management or troubleshooting.
references:
- https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1018/
- https://adsecurity.org/?p=1667
- https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/defender-for-identity/cas-isp-unconstrained-kerberos
- https://www.ired.team/offensive-security-experiments/active-directory-kerberos-abuse/domain-compromise-via-unrestricted-kerberos-delegation
- https://www.cyberark.com/resources/threat-research-blog/weakness-within-kerberos-delegation
finding:
title: Suspicious PowerShell Get-ADComputer was identified on endpoint $dest$
entity:
field: user_id
type: user
score: 50
intermediate_findings:
entities:
- field: dest
type: system
score: 50
message: Suspicious PowerShell Get-ADComputer was identified on endpoint $dest$
analytic_story:
- Medusa Ransomware
- Active Directory Kerberos Attacks
asset_type: Endpoint
mitre_attack_id:
- T1018
product:
- Splunk Enterprise
- Splunk Enterprise Security
- Splunk Cloud
category: endpoint
security_domain: endpoint
Stages and Predicates
Stage 1: search
`powershell` EventCode=4104 (ScriptBlockText = "*Get-ADComputer*" AND ScriptBlockText = "*TrustedForDelegation*")
Stage 2: fillnull
| fillnull
Stage 3: stats
| stats count min(_time) as firstTime max(_time) as lastTime
BY dest signature signature_id
user_id vendor_product EventID
Guid Opcode Name
Path ProcessID ScriptBlockId
ScriptBlockText
Stage 4: search
| `security_content_ctime(firstTime)`
Stage 5: search
| `security_content_ctime(lastTime)`
Stage 6: search
| `windows_get_adcomputer_unconstrained_delegation_discovery_filter`
Indicators
These rows show field, operator, and value matches.
| Field | Kind | Values | Search |
|---|---|---|---|
EventCode | eq |
| field:"EventID" kind:eq value:"4104" |
ScriptBlockText | eq |
| field:"ScriptBlockText" kind:eq |