Classification:

attack

Tactic:

TA0040-impact

Technique:

T1496-resource-hijacking

VIEW RULE IN DATADOG VIEW SIGNALS

Goal

Detect when an anomalous number of Google Compute Engine instances are created in multiple distinct zones by an individual user or service account. This could be an indication of cryptomining activity.

Strategy

Monitor Google Cloud Audit logs and detect when a single user or service account evokes the v1.compute.instances.insert or beta.compute.instances.insert API call an anomalous number of times in multiple distinct zones.

Triage and response

1. Determine if the user {{@usr.id}} and IP address {{@network.client.ip}} should be performing the observed event: {{@evt.name}}.
2. If the action is legitimate, consider including the user in a suppression list. See Best practices for creating detection rules with Datadog Cloud SIEM for more information.
3. Otherwise, use the Cloud SIEM - User Investigation dashboard to see if the user {{@usr.id}} has taken other actions.
4. If the results of the triage indicate that an attacker has taken the action, begin your company’s incident response process and an investigation.