AWS KMS

This detection monitors for processes executing from temporary or user-writable directories that perform DNS queries to AWS management endpoints, a pattern frequently utilized by post-exploitation tools to bypass CLI-based security controls.

Adversaries can perform immediate data destruction in AWS by invoking the DeleteImportedKeyMaterial API, rendering all data protected by external-origin (BYOK) keys inaccessible without a recovery window.

Adversaries may disable or schedule the deletion of AWS KMS keys to sabotage business operations, render encrypted data unrecoverable, and obstruct forensic investigation or incident response efforts.

An Elastic detection rule identifies when a single AWS identity, using the AWS CLI, performs more than five distinct read-only discovery API calls (such as Describe*, List*, Get*, and Generate*) across various AWS services within a 10-second window, indicating reconnaissance by an adversary using compromised credentials or an exploited EC2 instance to map the AWS infrastructure for potential targets and further exploitation.

This threat detection rule identifies initial reconnaissance activities within AWS by flagging an IAM principal's first-time invocation of sensitive discovery APIs, such as GetCallerIdentity, ListUsers, ListBuckets, and DescribeInstances, when the originating IP address is associated with consumer VPNs, high-usage hosting providers, or networks linked to threat groups like TeamPCP, indicating an attacker performing enumeration of cloud resources from a suspicious network origin.

An Amazon Bedrock API key phantom user (IAM user starting with 'BedrockAPIKey-*') performing non-Bedrock API calls, such as to IAM, STS, EC2, VPC, or KMS, indicates credential misuse and realized privilege escalation by an attacker using added standard IAM access keys for reconnaissance or lateral movement beyond the intended Bedrock authentication boundary.

Adversaries leverage the `DeleteImportedKeyMaterial` API call against AWS KMS customer managed keys (CMKs) with external material, instantly rendering encrypted data inaccessible with no recovery window, facilitating cloud ransomware or data destruction attacks.