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What indicators in log correlation suggest lateral movement?
Asked on Oct 20, 2025
Answer
Lateral movement is a critical phase in a cyber attack where an adversary moves through a network to access sensitive data or systems. Detecting lateral movement through log correlation involves identifying specific patterns and anomalies that indicate unauthorized access and traversal across systems.
Example Concept: Indicators of lateral movement in log correlation include unusual account activity such as logins from different locations within a short time frame, repeated failed login attempts followed by a successful login, access to multiple systems by a single account in a short period, and execution of remote commands or tools like PsExec or RDP. These patterns suggest an attacker is moving laterally to escalate privileges or access critical assets.
Additional Comment:
- Monitor for unusual patterns in user behavior analytics (UBA) to detect anomalies.
- Implement network segmentation to limit lateral movement opportunities.
- Use SIEM tools to automate log correlation and alert on suspicious activities.
- Regularly update and patch systems to reduce vulnerabilities exploited during lateral movement.
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