Playbook: Threat Prioritization & Automated Response Strategies

🚨 Critical Priority (Immediate Response Required)

High-Severity Cyberattacks & Active Threats

• Ransomware Attack Detected – Mass file encryption & extortion attempts.

  • 🚀 Response: Endpoint isolation, process termination, backup verification, & forensic analysis.

• DC Sync Attack – Credential theft via Active Directory replication abuse.

  • 🚀 Response: Block unauthorized replication requests, revoke permissions, and investigate compromised accounts.

• Pass-the-Hash (PtH) / Token Abuse – NTLM authentication misuse for lateral movement.

  • 🚀 Response: Disable compromised credentials, block unauthorized NTLM authentication attempts, enforce MFA.

• Phishing Campaign with Malware / Credential Theft – Leading to system compromise.

  • 🚀 Response: Email quarantine, endpoint scanning, user credential reset, phishing simulation training.

• Remote Code Execution (RCE) Exploit Detected – Unpatched system targeted in attack.

  • 🚀 Response: Patch immediately, isolate affected systems, investigate attacker actions, check exploit databases.

• Data Exfiltration via DNS Tunneling or Cloud Storage Misconfigurations.

  • 🚀 Response: Block suspicious DNS queries, audit cloud permissions, investigate unauthorized data transfers.

• Privileged Account Compromise – Enabling unauthorized transactions or system modifications.

  • 🚀 Response: Immediate privilege revocation, forensic investigation, identity validation, monitor privilege escalation attempts.

• Web Shell Installation on Public-Facing Servers – Persistence threat detected.

  • 🚀 Response: Remove web shell, analyze attacker access patterns, audit server configurations, monitor for follow-up attacks.

• Malware Beaconing to Command-and-Control (C2) Infrastructure.

  • 🚀 Response: Terminate beaconing process, block malicious domains/IPs, check other endpoints for infection.

• Active Directory Privilege Escalation & Lateral Movement – Stolen credentials used to compromise domain infrastructure.

  • 🚀 Response: Audit privilege escalation paths, monitor Kerberos ticket abuse, investigate unauthorized admin access.

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⚠️ High Priority (Urgent Investigation Required)

Potential Security Breaches & Exploit Attempts

• Impossible Travel Logins & Geo-Based Authentication Anomalies.

  • 🚀 Response: Validate user identity, enforce MFA, block high-risk sessions.

• Suspicious MFA Failure Attempts – Focused attack on sensitive accounts.

  • 🚀 Response: Investigate affected accounts, restrict privilege escalation paths, enforce MFA resets.

• Privilege Escalation Attempt on Domain Controllers or Admin Accounts.

  • 🚀 Response: Audit account changes, track NTLM/Kerberos authentication patterns, block escalation.

• Unauthorized API Access / Token Abuse – Financial or authentication service breach.

  • 🚀 Response: Disable misused API keys, enforce OAuth access control, review security logs for unusual API activity.

• Web Application Firewall (WAF) Alerts – SQL Injection or Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) Attempt.

  • 🚀 Response: Investigate affected applications, patch vulnerabilities, enhance web security monitoring.

• User Login Anomalies – Multiple failed login attempts in a short time.

  • 🚀 Response: Review credential stuffing indicators, monitor account lockout events, enforce CAPTCHA/MFA.

• Exploit Code Publicly Available for Active Vulnerability.

  • 🚀 Response: Cross-reference CVE databases, confirm exploit attempts, validate immediate patch availability.

• Unusual Kerberos Ticket Granting Ticket (TGT) Activity – Possible credential forgery attack.

  • 🚀 Response: Investigate forged tickets, enforce strict Kerberos authentication policies, scan for compromised admin accounts.

• Abnormal Network Traffic Spikes – Possible DDoS attack or flooding attempt.

  • 🚀 Response: Rate-limit traffic, investigate attacker IP sources, alert ISP for mitigation.

• Automated Credential Stuffing Attack – Repeated brute-force login attempts detected.

  • 🚀 Response: Apply account lockout policies, block attacker IP ranges, enforce CAPTCHA-based authentication.

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📌 Medium Priority (Security Review Needed)

Insider Threats, Policy Violations & Suspicious Activity

• Insider Threat – Privileged User Abusing Access for Data Theft.

  • 🚀 Response: Audit data access logs, monitor user behavior deviations, implement least privilege enforcement.

• Unauthorized Email Forwarding Rules Created – Possible data leakage attempt.

  • 🚀 Response: Review email security settings, disable suspicious forwarding, train employees on phishing detection.

• Excessive Failed Login Attempts Across Multiple Employee Accounts.

  • 🚀 Response: Investigate potential phishing campaigns or brute-force credential attacks.

• Suspicious PowerShell or Bash Script Execution on Critical Servers.

  • 🚀 Response: Scan for unauthorized scripts, block execution of known malicious script patterns, enforce script-signing policies.

• Weak TLS Configuration Detected – Outdated encryption standards in use.

  • 🚀 Response: Upgrade TLS settings, enforce strong cipher suites, ensure encryption compliance with industry standards.

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🛠 Low Priority (Routine Monitoring & Alerts)

Security Hygiene, Configuration Issues & General Threat Awareness

• Unoptimized Security Policies Affecting Cloud-Based Access Controls.

  • 🚀 Response: Review IAM permissions, enforce zero-trust access policies.

• Use of Outdated Third-Party Libraries with Known Vulnerabilities.

  • 🚀 Response: Identify vulnerable dependencies, enforce automated patching cycles.

• Improper Session Timeout Leading to Unintended Account Access.

  • 🚀 Response: Modify session timeout settings, restrict unauthenticated idle time.

• Excessive Failed File Access Attempts Without Privileges.

  • 🚀 Response: Investigate unauthorized access attempts, restrict access permissions.

• Debug Logs Containing Non-Sensitive System Information.

  • 🚀 Response: Ensure debug logs do not expose system internals to external actors.

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