Detection: Java Class File download by Java User Agent

Updated Date: 2024-10-16 ID: 8281ce42-5c50-11ec-82d2-acde48001122 Author: Michael Haag, Splunk Type: TTP Product: Splunk Enterprise Security

Description

The following analytic identifies a Java user agent performing a GET request for a .class file from a remote site. It leverages web or proxy logs within the Web Datamodel to detect this activity. This behavior is significant as it may indicate exploitation attempts, such as those related to CVE-2021-44228 (Log4Shell). If confirmed malicious, an attacker could exploit vulnerabilities in the Java application, potentially leading to remote code execution and further compromise of the affected system.

Search

1
2| tstats  `security_content_summariesonly` count from datamodel=Web where Web.http_user_agent="*Java*" Web.http_method="GET" Web.url="*.class*" by Web.http_user_agent Web.http_method, Web.url,Web.url_length Web.src, Web.dest 
3| `drop_dm_object_name("Web")` 
4| `security_content_ctime(firstTime)` 
5| `security_content_ctime(lastTime)` 
6| `java_class_file_download_by_java_user_agent_filter`

Data Source

Name	Platform	Sourcetype	Source
Splunk Stream HTTP	Splunk	`'stream:http'`	`'stream:http'`

Macros Used

Name	Value
security_content_ctime	`convert timeformat="%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%S" ctime($field$)`
java_class_file_download_by_java_user_agent_filter	`search *`

java_class_file_download_by_java_user_agent_filter is an empty macro by default. It allows the user to filter out any results (false positives) without editing the SPL.

Annotations

- MITRE ATT&CK

+ Kill Chain Phases

+ NIST

+ CIS

- Threat Actors

ID	Technique	Tactic
T1190	Exploit Public-Facing Application	Initial Access

KillChainPhase.DELIVERY

NistCategory.DE_CM

Cis18Value.CIS_13

APT28

APT29

APT39

APT41

APT5

Agrius

Axiom

BackdoorDiplomacy

BlackTech

Blue Mockingbird

Cinnamon Tempest

Dragonfly

Earth Lusca

Ember Bear

FIN13

FIN7

Fox Kitten

GALLIUM

GOLD SOUTHFIELD

HAFNIUM

INC Ransom

Ke3chang

Kimsuky

Magic Hound

Moses Staff

MuddyWater

Play

Rocke

Sandworm Team

Threat Group-3390

ToddyCat

Volatile Cedar

Volt Typhoon

Winter Vivern

menuPass

Default Configuration

This detection is configured by default in Splunk Enterprise Security to run with the following settings:

Setting	Value
Disabled	true
Cron Schedule	`0 * * * *`
Earliest Time	`-70m@m`
Latest Time	`-10m@m`
Schedule Window	`auto`
Creates Notable	Yes
Rule Title	`%name%`
Rule Description	`%description%`
Notable Event Fields	user, dest
Creates Risk Event	True

This configuration file applies to all detections of type TTP. These detections will use Risk Based Alerting and generate Notable Events.

Implementation

To successfully implement this search, you need to be ingesting web or proxy logs, or ensure it is being filled by a proxy like device, into the Web Datamodel. For additional filtering, allow list private IP space or restrict by known good.

Known False Positives

Filtering may be required in some instances, filter as needed.

Associated Analytic Story

Log4Shell CVE-2021-44228

Risk Based Analytics (RBA)

Risk Message	Risk Score	Impact	Confidence
A Java user agent $http_user_agent$ was performing a $http_method$ to retrieve a remote class file.	40	80	50

The Risk Score is calculated by the following formula: Risk Score = (Impact * Confidence/100). Initial Confidence and Impact is set by the analytic author.

References

https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2021/12/as-log4shell-wreaks-havoc-payroll-service-reports-ransomware-attack/

Detection Testing

Test Type	Status	Dataset	Source	Sourcetype
Validation	✅ Passing	N/A	N/A	N/A
Unit	✅ Passing	Dataset	`stream:http`	`stream:http`
Integration	✅ Passing	Dataset	`stream:http`	`stream:http`

Replay any dataset to Splunk Enterprise by using our replay.py tool or the UI. Alternatively you can replay a dataset into a Splunk Attack Range

Source: GitHub | Version: 4