Windows DNS analytic events for GALLIUM-related ddns QNAMEs (EventID 257)
Alert on Windows DNS analytical EventID 257 queries for GALLIUM-linked suspicious QNAMEs.
- Product
- windows
- Service
- dns-server-analytic
- Author
- Tim Burrell (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
- Published
- 2020-02-07
- Updated
- 2026-07-31
ATT&CK techniques
C2Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
Exfiltration
Impact
What it detects
This rule flags Windows DNS Server analytical events (EventID 257) where the queried QNAME matches specific dynamic DNS hostnames associated with GALLIUM indicators from December 2019. Attackers may use lookalike DDNS domains to support command-and-control or staging, making these queries a useful pivot for threat hunting. It relies on Microsoft-Windows-DNS-Server/Analytical telemetry and the QNAME field in matching events.
Reporting behind it
- microsoft.comhttps://www.microsoft.com/security/blog/2019/12/12/gallium-targeting-global-telecom/
- docs.microsoft.comhttps://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/windows/it-pro/windows-server-2012-R2-and-2012/dn800669(v=ws.11)
- github.comhttps://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules-emerging-threats/2020/TA/GALLIUM/win_dns_analytic_apt_gallium.yml
Changelog
v5- v5Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
- v4Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
- v3Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
- v2Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
- v1No 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.
title: Windows DNS analytic events for GALLIUM-related ddns QNAMEs (EventID 257)
id: f6a38b05-f078-4447-8f23-8fe5a1f9e814
related:
- id: 440a56bf-7873-4439-940a-1c8a671073c2
type: derived
- id: 3db10f25-2527-4b79-8d4b-471eb900ee29
type: derived
status: test
description: This rule flags Windows DNS Server analytical events (EventID 257) where the queried QNAME matches specific dynamic DNS hostnames associated with GALLIUM indicators from December 2019. Attackers may use lookalike DDNS domains to support command-and-control or staging, making these queries a useful pivot for threat hunting. It relies on Microsoft-Windows-DNS-Server/Analytical telemetry and the QNAME field in matching events.
references:
- https://www.microsoft.com/security/blog/2019/12/12/gallium-targeting-global-telecom/
- https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/windows/it-pro/windows-server-2012-R2-and-2012/dn800669(v=ws.11)
- https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules-emerging-threats/2020/TA/GALLIUM/win_dns_analytic_apt_gallium.yml
author: Tim Burrell, Huntrule Team
date: 2020-02-07
modified: 2023-01-02
tags:
- attack.credential-access
- attack.command-and-control
- attack.t1071
- detection.emerging-threats
logsource:
product: windows
service: dns-server-analytic
definition: "Requirements: Microsoft-Windows-DNS-Server/Analytical ({EB79061A-A566-4698-9119-3ED2807060E7}) Event Log must be collected in order to receive the events."
detection:
selection:
EventID: 257
QNAME:
- asyspy256.ddns.net
- hotkillmail9sddcc.ddns.net
- rosaf112.ddns.net
- cvdfhjh1231.myftp.biz
- sz2016rose.ddns.net
- dffwescwer4325.myftp.biz
- cvdfhjh1231.ddns.net
condition: selection
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: high
license: DRL-1.1