Windows Security Log: Metasploit SMB NTLM Logon (4624/4625, 4776)

ATT&CK techniques

Lateral Movement

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
- T1021.002SMB/Windows Admin Shares
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

Identifies failed (4625) and successful (4624) network logons using NTLM over SMB associated with 16-character alphanumeric workstation names, alongside corresponding 4776 authentication attempts. This matters because Metasploit-style SMB authentication activity can be part of lateral movement. The rule relies on Windows Security events 4624/4625 with LogonType 3 and AuthenticationPackageName=NTLM, and 4776 entries that share matching workstation naming patterns.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1021.002 — drag to rearrange

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Suspicious Impacket smbexec Command Execution Pattern

Malicious Impacket Wmiexec Remote Command Execution Pattern

Suspicious Remote Admin Share Execution via Conhost

Malicious Network Share Manipulation via Commandline (via process_creation)

Suspicious Number of Oustanding SMB Requests Increased (via process_creation)

Suspicious SMB Insecure Guest Authentication Activated - Native (via security)

Suspicious PSexec Execution Over SMB Share (via security)

Windows Security Log: Metasploit SMB NTLM Logon (4624/4625, 4776)

Pivot detection · T1021.002 · 9 related

Changelog

v2

v2
Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
v1
No changelog recorded for this version.2026-07-30

Detection content is published as a reviewed draft. Tune thresholds and exclusions against your own telemetry before enabling this rule for alerting.

metasploit-smb-authentication-attempts-via-ntlm-windows-security-4624-4625-4776-72124974

title: "Windows Security Log: Metasploit SMB NTLM Logon (4624/4625, 4776)"
id: a1d3ad5a-81e4-42c3-bae5-be84bd8f7b3f
status: test
description: Identifies failed (4625) and successful (4624) network logons using NTLM over SMB associated with 16-character alphanumeric workstation names, alongside corresponding 4776 authentication attempts. This matters because Metasploit-style SMB authentication activity can be part of lateral movement. The rule relies on Windows Security events 4624/4625 with LogonType 3 and AuthenticationPackageName=NTLM, and 4776 entries that share matching workstation naming patterns.
references:
  - https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/blob/1416b5776d963f21b7b5b45d19f3e961201e0aed/lib/rex/proto/smb/client.rb
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/builtin/security/win_security_metasploit_authentication.yml
author: Chakib Gzenayi (@Chak092), Hosni Mribah, Huntrule Team
date: 2020-05-06
modified: 2024-01-25
tags:
  - attack.lateral-movement
  - attack.t1021.002
logsource:
  product: windows
  service: security
detection:
  selection1:
    EventID:
      - 4625
      - 4624
    LogonType: 3
    AuthenticationPackageName: NTLM
    WorkstationName|re: ^[A-Za-z0-9]{16}$
  selection2:
    EventID: 4776
    Workstation|re: ^[A-Za-z0-9]{16}$
  condition: 1 of selection*
falsepositives:
  - Linux hostnames composed of 16 characters.
level: high
license: DRL-1.1
related:
  - id: 72124974-a68b-4366-b990-d30e0b2a190d
    type: derived

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