Detecting NTLM Relay with Event Correlation

Authorized Testing Disclaimer: The offensive techniques and attack simulations described in this skill are intended exclusively for authorized penetration testing, red team engagements, purple team exercises, and security research conducted with explicit written permission from the system owner. Unauthorized use of these techniques against systems you do not own or have permission to test is illegal and unethical. Always operate within the scope of your engagement and comply with applicable laws and regulations.

Overview

NTLM relay attacks intercept NTLM authentication messages and forward them to a target service to gain unauthorized access. Attackers use tools like Responder for LLMNR/NBT-NS/mDNS poisoning, ntlmrelayx (Fox-IT/Impacket) for multi-protocol relay, and coercion techniques like PetitPotam (MS-EFSRPC) and DFSCoerce to force authentication from high-value targets like domain controllers. This skill provides a comprehensive event correlation framework using Windows Security Event 4624 LogonType 3 analysis, IP-to-hostname mismatch detection, Responder traffic identification, SMB/LDAP signing audit, and NTLM downgrade detection to identify relay attacks across Active Directory environments.

When to Use

• Hunting for credential relay activity in Active Directory environments where NTLM authentication is still in use
• Investigating alerts for authentication anomalies where the source IP does not match the expected workstation
• Auditing SMB signing and LDAP signing enforcement to assess exposure to relay attacks
• Detecting NTLM downgrade attacks where NTLMv2 is forced to NTLMv1 for easier offline cracking or relay
• Building SIEM correlation rules for MITRE ATT&CK T1557.001 (LLMNR/NBT-NS Poisoning and SMB Relay)
• Responding to PetitPotam, DFSCoerce, or PrinterBug coercion alerts that may precede relay attacks
• During purple team exercises validating NTLM relay detection and SMB signing enforcement

Do not use without centralized Windows Security Event Log collection, as a substitute for enforcing SMB signing and Extended Protection for Authentication (EPA) which prevent relay attacks at the protocol level, or without an IP-to-hostname inventory for correlation.

Prerequisites

• Windows Advanced Audit Policy configured to capture Event IDs 4624, 4625, 4648, 4776, and 8004
• Centralized log collection via Windows Event Forwarding (WEF) or agent-based shipping to SIEM
• SIEM platform (Splunk, Elastic, Microsoft Sentinel) with correlation and alerting capability
• IP address to hostname mapping inventory (DHCP logs, DNS records, or CMDB)
• Network monitoring for LLMNR (UDP 5355), NBT-NS (UDP 137), and mDNS (UDP 5353) traffic
• Understanding of MITRE ATT&CK T1557.001 and T1187 (Forced Authentication)

Workflow

Step 1: Understand NTLM Relay Attack Flow

The NTLM relay attack follows a three-phase pattern: coercion/poisoning, interception, and relay.

Phase 1 -- Coercion or Poisoning: The attacker forces or tricks a victim into initiating NTLM authentication. Methods include LLMNR/NBT-NS poisoning (Responder), PetitPotam (MS-EFSRPC abuse), PrinterBug (SpoolService), and DFSCoerce.

Phase 2 -- Interception: The attacker captures the NTLM Type 1 (Negotiate) and Type 3 (Authenticate) messages from the victim.

Phase 3 -- Relay: The attacker forwards the captured NTLM messages to a target service (SMB, LDAP, HTTP, MSSQL) to authenticate as the victim. This succeeds only when message signing is not enforced.

Victim ──NTLM Negotiate──> Attacker ──NTLM Negotiate──> Target
Victim <──NTLM Challenge── Attacker <──NTLM Challenge── Target
Victim ──NTLM Authenticate──> Attacker ──NTLM Authenticate──> Target
                                                         ↓
                                              Attacker authenticated
                                              as Victim on Target

Key Detection Insight: In a relay attack, Event 4624 on the target will show the victim's username but the attacker's IP address. The WorkstationName field may still reflect the victim's machine. This IP-to-hostname mismatch is the primary detection signal.

Step 2: Event 4624 LogonType 3 Analysis for Relay Detection

# Splunk: Detect IP-to-Hostname Mismatches in Network Logons
# Core NTLM relay detection -- correlates WorkstationName with IpAddress

index=wineventlog EventCode=4624 LogonType=3
    AuthenticationPackageName="NTLM" LmPackageName="NTLM V2"
| where TargetUserName != "ANONYMOUS LOGON"
    AND TargetUserName != "-"
    AND NOT match(TargetUserName, ".*\\$$")
| eval workstation_lower=lower(WorkstationName)
| lookup dns_inventory.csv hostname AS workstation_lower OUTPUT expected_ip
| where isnotnull(expected_ip) AND IpAddress != expected_ip
| table _time ComputerName TargetUserName WorkstationName IpAddress expected_ip
    LogonProcessName AuthenticationPackageName
| sort -_time
| rename ComputerName as TargetHost, IpAddress as ActualSourceIP,
    expected_ip as ExpectedSourceIP

# Splunk: Detect Rapid Multi-Host Authentication (Relay Spraying)
# Attackers relay captured credentials to multiple targets quickly

index=wineventlog EventCode=4624 LogonType=3
    AuthenticationPackageName="NTLM"
| where TargetUserName != "ANONYMOUS LOGON"
    AND NOT match(TargetUserName, ".*\\$$")
| bin _time span=2m
| stats dc(ComputerName) as target_count values(ComputerName) as targets
    values(IpAddress) as source_ips by _time TargetUserName
| where target_count > 3
| table _time TargetUserName source_ips target_count targets
| sort -target_count

# Splunk: Detect NTLM Authentication from Non-Workstation IPs
# Relay tools often run from Linux attack boxes not in DNS/DHCP inventory

index=wineventlog EventCode=4624 LogonType=3
    AuthenticationPackageName="NTLM"
| where TargetUserName != "ANONYMOUS LOGON"
    AND NOT match(TargetUserName, ".*\\$$")
| lookup dhcp_leases.csv ip AS IpAddress OUTPUT mac_address hostname
| where isnull(hostname)
| stats count dc(ComputerName) as targets_hit values(ComputerName) as target_hosts
    by IpAddress TargetUserName WorkstationName
| where count > 1
| table IpAddress TargetUserName WorkstationName targets_hit target_hosts count
| sort -targets_hit

-- Microsoft Sentinel KQL: NTLM Relay Detection via IP-Hostname Mismatch

let known_hosts = datatable(WorkstationName:string, ExpectedIP:string)
[
    // Populate from CMDB or use DeviceNetworkInfo table
];
SecurityEvent
| where EventID == 4624 and LogonType == 3
| where AuthenticationPackageName == "NTLM"
| where TargetUserName !endswith "$"
| where TargetUserName != "ANONYMOUS LOGON"
| where IpAddress != "-" and IpAddress != "::1" and IpAddress != "127.0.0.1"
| extend WorkstationClean = toupper(trim_end(@"\s+", WorkstationName))
| join kind=inner (known_hosts) on WorkstationName
| where IpAddress != ExpectedIP
| project TimeGenerated, Computer, TargetUserName, WorkstationName,
    IpAddress, ExpectedIP, LogonProcessName, AuthenticationPackageName,
    LmPackageName
| sort by TimeGenerated desc

-- Microsoft Sentinel KQL: Rapid NTLM Authentication to Multiple Targets

SecurityEvent
| where EventID == 4624 and LogonType == 3
| where AuthenticationPackageName == "NTLM"
| where TargetUserName !endswith "$"
| where TargetUserName != "ANONYMOUS LOGON"
| summarize TargetCount=dcount(Computer),
    Targets=make_set(Computer),
    SourceIPs=make_set(IpAddress),
    AuthCount=count()
    by TargetUserName, bin(TimeGenerated, 2m)
| where TargetCount > 3
| project TimeGenerated, TargetUserName, SourceIPs, TargetCount, Targets, AuthCount
| sort by TargetCount desc

Step 3: Responder Detection via Network and Event Analysis

# Splunk: Detect Responder LLMNR/NBT-NS Poisoning via Network Logs
# Responder answers LLMNR (UDP 5355) and NBT-NS (UDP 137) queries

index=network sourcetype=zeek_dns
| where query_type IN ("LLMNR", "NBNS")
    OR id.resp_p IN (5355, 137)
| stats dc(id.orig_h) as victims count by id.resp_h answers
| where count > 10
| rename id.resp_h as responder_ip
| table responder_ip victims answers count
| sort -count

# Splunk: Detect LLMNR/NBT-NS Response from Non-DNS Servers
# Legitimate DNS servers respond to these; Responder impersonates them

index=network sourcetype="bro:dns:json" OR sourcetype="zeek:conn:json"
| where id_resp_p=5355 OR id_resp_p=137
| where NOT cidrmatch("10.10.0.0/24", id_resp_h)
| stats count dc(id_orig_h) as unique_victims by id_resp_h
| where unique_victims > 3
| table id_resp_h unique_victims count
| rename id_resp_h as suspicious_responder

# PowerShell: Detect LLMNR and NBT-NS activity on local network
# Run on a monitoring host to identify Responder-like behavior

# Check if LLMNR is disabled (should be disabled to prevent poisoning)
$llmnr = Get-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\DNSClient" `
    -Name "EnableMulticast" -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
Write-Host "[*] LLMNR Status: $(if ($llmnr.EnableMulticast -eq 0) { 'DISABLED (Good)' } else { 'ENABLED (Vulnerable to Responder)' })"

# Check if NBT-NS is disabled
$adapters = Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_NetworkAdapterConfiguration -Filter "IPEnabled=True"
foreach ($adapter in $adapters) {
    $nbtns = $adapter.TcpipNetbios
    $status = switch ($nbtns) {
        0 { "Default (Enabled)" }
        1 { "Enabled" }
        2 { "Disabled (Good)" }
    }
    Write-Host "[*] Adapter '$($adapter.Description)' NBT-NS: $status"
}

# Query Windows Firewall logs for LLMNR/NBT-NS traffic
Get-WinEvent -LogName "Microsoft-Windows-Windows Firewall With Advanced Security/Firewall" `
    -MaxEvents 1000 -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue |
    Where-Object {
        $_.Message -match "5355|137" -and $_.Message -match "UDP"
    } |
    Select-Object TimeCreated, @{N='Detail';E={$_.Message.Substring(0,200)}} |
    Format-Table -AutoSize

# Sigma Rule: Responder LLMNR/NBT-NS Poisoning Detection
title: Potential Responder LLMNR/NBT-NS Poisoning Activity
id: 7a8b9c0d-e1f2-3a4b-5c6d-7e8f9a0b1c2d
status: stable
description: >
  Detects a single host responding to LLMNR (UDP 5355) or NBT-NS (UDP 137)
  queries from multiple unique sources, indicating possible Responder poisoning.
references:
    - https://www.hackthebox.com/blog/ntlm-relay-attack-detection
    - https://blog.fox-it.com/2017/05/09/relaying-credentials-everywhere-with-ntlmrelayx/
logsource:
    category: firewall
detection:
    selection:
        dst_port:
            - 5355
            - 137
        action: allow
    condition: selection | count(src_ip) by dst_ip > 5
    timeframe: 5m
level: high
tags:
    - attack.credential_access
    - attack.t1557.001
falsepositives:
    - Legitimate WINS servers or DNS servers responding to broadcast queries
    - Network discovery tools performing name resolution

Step 4: SMB Signing Enforcement Audit

# PowerShell: Audit SMB Signing Status Across Domain
# SMB signing prevents NTLM relay to SMB services

# Check local SMB signing configuration
Write-Host "=== LOCAL SMB SIGNING STATUS ==="
$smbServer = Get-SmbServerConfiguration
Write-Host "[*] SMB Server RequireSecuritySignature: $($smbServer.RequireSecuritySignature)"
Write-Host "[*] SMB Server EnableSecuritySignature: $($smbServer.EnableSecuritySignature)"

$smbClient = Get-SmbClientConfiguration
Write-Host "[*] SMB Client RequireSecuritySignature: $($smbClient.RequireSecuritySignature)"
Write-Host "[*] SMB Client EnableSecuritySignature: $($smbClient.EnableSecuritySignature)"

# Check via registry (works on older systems)
$serverSigning = Get-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\LanManServer\Parameters" `
    -Name "RequireSecuritySignature" -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
$clientSigning = Get-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\LanManWorkstation\Parameters" `
    -Name "RequireSecuritySignature" -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue

Write-Host "`n=== REGISTRY VALUES ==="
Write-Host "[*] Server RequireSecuritySignature: $($serverSigning.RequireSecuritySignature) (1=Required, 0=Not Required)"
Write-Host "[*] Client RequireSecuritySignature: $($clientSigning.RequireSecuritySignature) (1=Required, 0=Not Required)"

# PowerShell: Domain-Wide SMB Signing Audit
# Scan all domain computers for SMB signing enforcement

$domainComputers = Get-ADComputer -Filter * -Properties OperatingSystem |
    Where-Object { $_.OperatingSystem -like "*Windows*" -and $_.Enabled -eq $true } |
    Select-Object -ExpandProperty DNSHostName

$results = @()
foreach ($computer in $domainComputers) {
    try {
        $session = New-CimSession -ComputerName $computer -ErrorAction Stop
        $smbConfig = Get-SmbServerConfiguration -CimSession $session -ErrorAction Stop
        $results += [PSCustomObject]@{
            Computer = $computer
            RequireSigning = $smbConfig.RequireSecuritySignature
            EnableSigning = $smbConfig.EnableSecuritySignature
            Status = if ($smbConfig.RequireSecuritySignature) { "ENFORCED" } else { "VULNERABLE" }
        }
        Remove-CimSession $session
    } catch {
        $results += [PSCustomObject]@{
            Computer = $computer
            RequireSigning = "ERROR"
            EnableSigning = "ERROR"
            Status = "UNREACHABLE"
        }
    }
}

# Display results sorted by vulnerability
$results | Sort-Object Status | Format-Table -AutoSize

# Export vulnerable hosts
$vulnerable = $results | Where-Object { $_.Status -eq "VULNERABLE" }
Write-Host "`n[!] VULNERABLE HOSTS (SMB Signing Not Required): $($vulnerable.Count)"
$vulnerable | Export-Csv -Path "smb_signing_audit.csv" -NoTypeInformation

# PowerShell: Audit LDAP Signing Status on Domain Controllers
# LDAP signing prevents NTLM relay to LDAP/LDAPS services

# Check LDAP signing requirement on domain controllers
$dcs = Get-ADDomainController -Filter * | Select-Object -ExpandProperty HostName

foreach ($dc in $dcs) {
    # Check LDAP server signing requirement
    $ldapSigning = Invoke-Command -ComputerName $dc -ScriptBlock {
        $regPath = "HKLM:\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\NTDS\Parameters"
        $value = Get-ItemProperty -Path $regPath -Name "LDAPServerIntegrity" -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
        return $value.LDAPServerIntegrity
    } -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue

    $status = switch ($ldapSigning) {
        0 { "NONE (Vulnerable)" }
        1 { "Negotiate Signing (Default - Vulnerable to relay)" }
        2 { "Require Signing (Secure)" }
        default { "Unknown/Error" }
    }
    Write-Host "[*] $dc LDAP Signing: $status"

    # Check LDAP channel binding
    $channelBinding = Invoke-Command -ComputerName $dc -ScriptBlock {
        $regPath = "HKLM:\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\NTDS\Parameters"
        $value = Get-ItemProperty -Path $regPath -Name "LdapEnforceChannelBinding" -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
        return $value.LdapEnforceChannelBinding
    } -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue

    $cbStatus = switch ($channelBinding) {
        0 { "Disabled (Vulnerable)" }
        1 { "When Supported" }
        2 { "Always Required (Secure)" }
        default { "Not Configured (Vulnerable)" }
    }
    Write-Host "[*] $dc LDAP Channel Binding: $cbStatus"
}

# Splunk: Monitor for SMB sessions without signing
# Requires Zeek SMB logging or packet capture analysis

index=network sourcetype="zeek:smb_mapping:json" OR sourcetype="bro:smb_mapping:json"
| where NOT security_mode="signing_required"
| stats count dc(id_orig_h) as unique_clients by id_resp_h security_mode
| sort -unique_clients
| rename id_resp_h as smb_server
| table smb_server security_mode unique_clients count

Step 5: NTLM Downgrade Detection

# Splunk: Detect NTLMv1 Authentication (Downgrade from NTLMv2)
# NTLMv1 is weaker and easier to relay/crack -- should not be in use

index=wineventlog EventCode=4624 LogonType=3
    LmPackageName="NTLM V1"
| where TargetUserName != "ANONYMOUS LOGON"
    AND NOT match(TargetUserName, ".*\\$$")
| stats count values(ComputerName) as targets
    values(IpAddress) as source_ips
    by TargetUserName LmPackageName
| table TargetUserName LmPackageName source_ips targets count
| sort -count

# Splunk: Detect NTLM Downgrade Attack Pattern
# NTLMv1 appearing after a period of only NTLMv2 suggests active downgrade

index=wineventlog EventCode=4624 LogonType=3
    AuthenticationPackageName="NTLM"
| where TargetUserName != "ANONYMOUS LOGON"
| bin _time span=1h
| stats count(eval(LmPackageName="NTLM V1")) as ntlmv1_count
    count(eval(LmPackageName="NTLM V2")) as ntlmv2_count
    by _time
| where ntlmv1_count > 0
| eval ntlmv1_ratio = round(ntlmv1_count / (ntlmv1_count + ntlmv2_count) * 100, 2)
| table _time ntlmv1_count ntlmv2_count ntlmv1_ratio
| sort -_time

-- Microsoft Sentinel KQL: NTLMv1 Downgrade Detection

SecurityEvent
| where EventID == 4624 and LogonType == 3
| where AuthenticationPackageName == "NTLM"
| where LmPackageName == "NTLM V1"
| where TargetUserName !endswith "$"
| where TargetUserName != "ANONYMOUS LOGON"
| project TimeGenerated, Computer, TargetUserName, WorkstationName,
    IpAddress, LmPackageName, LogonProcessName
| sort by TimeGenerated desc

# PowerShell: Detect NTLMv1 Authentication Events on Local System

$ntlmv1Events = Get-WinEvent -LogName Security -FilterXPath @"
*[System[(EventID=4624)]]
 and
*[EventData[Data[@Name='LmPackageName']='NTLM V1']]
"@ -MaxEvents 500 -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue

if ($ntlmv1Events.Count -gt 0) {
    Write-Host "[!] WARNING: $($ntlmv1Events.Count) NTLMv1 authentication events detected!" -ForegroundColor Red
    $ntlmv1Events | ForEach-Object {
        $xml = [xml]$_.ToXml()
        $eventData = $xml.Event.EventData.Data
        [PSCustomObject]@{
            Time         = $_.TimeCreated
            TargetUser   = ($eventData | Where-Object { $_.Name -eq "TargetUserName" }).'#text'
            Workstation  = ($eventData | Where-Object { $_.Name -eq "WorkstationName" }).'#text'
            SourceIP     = ($eventData | Where-Object { $_.Name -eq "IpAddress" }).'#text'
            LmPackage    = ($eventData | Where-Object { $_.Name -eq "LmPackageName" }).'#text'
        }
    } | Format-Table -AutoSize
} else {
    Write-Host "[+] No NTLMv1 authentication events found (Good)" -ForegroundColor Green
}

# Audit GPO settings for NTLM restriction
Write-Host "`n=== NTLM RESTRICTION POLICY ==="
$ntlmPolicy = Get-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa" `
    -Name "LmCompatibilityLevel" -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue

$level = switch ($ntlmPolicy.LmCompatibilityLevel) {
    0 { "Send LM & NTLM responses (Most Vulnerable)" }
    1 { "Send LM & NTLM - use NTLMv2 session security if negotiated" }
    2 { "Send NTLM response only" }
    3 { "Send NTLMv2 response only (Recommended minimum)" }
    4 { "Send NTLMv2 response only, refuse LM" }
    5 { "Send NTLMv2 response only, refuse LM & NTLM (Most Secure)" }
    default { "Not configured (defaults to 3 on modern Windows)" }
}
Write-Host "[*] LmCompatibilityLevel: $($ntlmPolicy.LmCompatibilityLevel) - $level"

Step 6: NTLM Audit and Restriction Policy Configuration

# PowerShell: Enable NTLM Auditing via Group Policy Registry Settings
# Must be applied via GPO for domain-wide coverage

# Audit all NTLM authentication in this domain
# GPO: Computer Configuration > Policies > Windows Settings > Security Settings >
#      Local Policies > Security Options >
#      Network Security: Restrict NTLM: Audit NTLM authentication in this domain = Enable all

# Registry equivalent (apply via GPO preferences or startup script)
# Domain Controller setting:
# Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Netlogon\Parameters" `
#     -Name "AuditNTLMInDomain" -Value 7 -Type DWord

# Audit incoming NTLM traffic on all servers:
# Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa\MSV1_0" `
#     -Name "AuditReceivingNTLMTraffic" -Value 2 -Type DWord

# After enabling auditing, NTLM events appear in:
# Applications and Services Logs > Microsoft > Windows > NTLM > Operational

# Query NTLM operational log for audit events
Get-WinEvent -LogName "Microsoft-Windows-NTLM/Operational" -MaxEvents 200 -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue |
    Where-Object { $_.Id -in @(8001, 8002, 8003, 8004) } |
    Select-Object TimeCreated, Id,
        @{N='EventType'; E={
            switch ($_.Id) {
                8001 { "NTLM client blocked audit" }
                8002 { "NTLM server blocked audit" }
                8003 { "NTLM server blocked in domain" }
                8004 { "NTLM authentication to DC audit" }
            }
        }},
        @{N='Detail'; E={$_.Message.Substring(0, [Math]::Min(300, $_.Message.Length))}} |
    Format-Table -AutoSize

# Splunk: Monitor NTLM Audit Events (Event ID 8004)
# Shows all NTLM authentications passing through domain controllers

index=wineventlog source="WinEventLog:Microsoft-Windows-NTLM/Operational"
    EventCode=8004
| rex field=Message "Calling client name:\s+(?<client_name>[^\r\n]+)"
| rex field=Message "Calling client IP:\s+(?<client_ip>[^\r\n]+)"
| rex field=Message "Server name:\s+(?<server_name>[^\r\n]+)"
| stats count dc(server_name) as unique_servers by client_name client_ip
| sort -count
| table client_name client_ip unique_servers count

Step 7: PetitPotam and Coercion Attack Detection

# Splunk: Detect PetitPotam / EFSCoerce Attack
# Monitor for machine account NTLM authentications relayed to other services

index=wineventlog EventCode=4624 LogonType=3
    AuthenticationPackageName="NTLM"
    TargetUserName="*$"
| where match(TargetUserName, "^[A-Z0-9\\-]+\\$$")
| eval is_dc = if(match(TargetUserName, "(DC|DCSERVER|DOMCTRL)"), "Yes", "No")
| where IpAddress != "127.0.0.1" AND IpAddress != "::1"
| stats count values(ComputerName) as target_hosts
    values(IpAddress) as source_ips by TargetUserName
| where count > 2 OR mvcount(source_ips) > 1
| table TargetUserName source_ips target_hosts count
| sort -count

-- Microsoft Sentinel KQL: PetitPotam / Coercion Attack Detection
-- Detects domain controller machine account authenticating from unexpected IPs

let dc_accounts = SecurityEvent
| where EventID == 4624 and LogonType == 3
| where TargetUserName endswith "$"
| where Computer startswith "DC"
| distinct TargetUserName;

SecurityEvent
| where EventID == 4624 and LogonType == 3
| where AuthenticationPackageName == "NTLM"
| where TargetUserName in (dc_accounts)
| where IpAddress != "127.0.0.1" and IpAddress != "::1"
| extend SourceHostExpected = iff(
    Computer == replace_string(TargetUserName, "$", ""), true, false)
| where SourceHostExpected == false
| project TimeGenerated, Computer, TargetUserName, IpAddr