Suspicious Failed DNS Zone Transfer (via dns-server)

This rule detects when a DNS zone transfer failed.

SigmamediumWindowsv1

sigma

suspicious-failed-dns-zone-transfer-via-dns-server

title: Suspicious Failed DNS Zone Transfer (via dns-server)
id: 6eb8cd21-1a74-561b-b47b-703310357f2b
status: stable
description: This rule detects when a DNS zone transfer failed.
references:
    - https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1590/002/
    - https://kb.eventtracker.com/evtpass/evtpages/EventId_6004_Microsoft-Windows-DNS-Server-Service_65410.asp
author: Huntrule Team
date: 2026-07-26
tags:
    - attack.reconnaissance
    - attack.t1590.002
logsource:
    product: windows
    service: dns-server
detection:
    selection:
        EventID: 6004
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: medium

Known false positives

Unknown

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