huntrule

Windows Security Event 4794 Password Change for DSRM Account

Flags potential changes to the DSRM administrator password on Windows domain controllers using Security EventID 4794.

FreeReviewedSigma · High · v2
Product
windows
Service
security
Author
Thomas Patzke (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2017-02-19
Updated
2026-07-31
AnalysisDetection

ATT&CK techniques

Persistence → Priv Esc

  1. Recon

  2. Resource Dev

  3. Initial Access

  4. Execution

  5. Persistence

  6. Priv Esc

  7. Defense Evasion

  8. Cred Access

  9. Discovery

  10. Lateral Movement

  11. Collection

  12. C2

  13. Exfiltration

  14. Impact

What it detects

This rule flags Windows Security log EventID 4794, which indicates an attempt to change the Directory Services Restore Mode (DSRM) administrator password on a domain controller. Changing the DSRM password can be used by an attacker to maintain access or regain control during directory service recovery scenarios. It relies on Security auditing telemetry for the password-change event from the affected domain controller.

Reporting behind it

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Windows HackTool Execution: GoldenDMSA.exe Launch with Directory Manipulation Parameters
Suspicious Compute Instance Metadata Modification in GCP
Suspicious Azure AD Authentication Method Registration for Account Takeover (via azure)
Windows Security Event 4794 Password Change for DSRM Account
Pivot detection · T1098 · 9 related

Changelog

v2
  1. v2
    Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
  2. 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.