Potential SIP Extension Enumeration


Description

Identifies SIP OPTIONS requests targeting many distinct extension values from a single client within two minutes. Attackers and VoIP scanners use OPTIONS sweeps to discover valid users before REGISTER brute force, toll fraud, or registration hijacking attempts.

Query · esql

from logs-network_traffic.sip-*, packetbeat-* metadata _source
| eval
    Esql.method = TO_UPPER(COALESCE(
        JSON_EXTRACT(_source, "network_traffic.sip.method"),
        JSON_EXTRACT(_source, "sip.method")
    )),
    Esql.to_user = COALESCE(
        JSON_EXTRACT(_source, "network_traffic.sip.to.uri.username"),
        JSON_EXTRACT(_source, "sip.to.uri.username")
    ),
    Esql.user_agent = COALESCE(
        JSON_EXTRACT(_source, "network_traffic.sip.user_agent.original"),
        JSON_EXTRACT(_source, "sip.user_agent.original")
    ),
    Esql.client_ip = COALESCE(client.ip, source.ip),
    Esql.server_ip = COALESCE(server.ip, destination.ip)
| where
    Esql.method == "OPTIONS" and
    Esql.to_user is not null and
    Esql.client_ip is not null and
    Esql.server_ip is not null
| eval Esql.time_window = DATE_TRUNC(2 minutes, @timestamp)
| stats
    Esql.distinct_extensions = COUNT_DISTINCT(Esql.to_user),
    Esql.request_count = COUNT(*),
    Esql.sample_extensions = MV_SLICE(VALUES(Esql.to_user), 0, 20),
    Esql.user_agents = MV_SLICE(VALUES(Esql.user_agent), 0, 10)
  by Esql.time_window, Esql.client_ip, Esql.server_ip
| where Esql.distinct_extensions >= 20
| keep Esql.*

Implementation guide

This rule requires the Elastic network_traffic integration with the SIP protocol module enabled on a sensor that observes VoIP signaling traffic. SIP monitoring uses UDP port 5060 by default. Enable the integration's Use TCP option when the monitored environment carries plaintext SIP over TCP; Packetbeat monitors the selected transport.

The rule requires decoded SIP headers. SIP over TLS (commonly TCP 5061) is not visible unless the sensor receives decrypted traffic or observes plaintext SIP after TLS termination. SRTP encryption does not affect this rule when SIP signaling remains visible.

Known false positives

  • Some legitimate provisioning or monitoring tools enumerate extensions during onboarding. Validate the source against known PBX management systems before closing.

Analyst notes

Investigating Potential SIP Extension Enumeration

SIP OPTIONS is commonly used for capability discovery. Attack tools such as SIPvicious send OPTIONS across sequential or randomized extensions to map valid users. High cardinality of Esql.to_user values from one client IP is a strong reconnaissance signal on VoIP segments.

Possible investigation steps

  • Review Esql.sample_extensions for sequential or patterned usernames indicative of scanning.
  • Inspect Esql.user_agents for scanner strings such as friendly-scanner or SIPvicious variants.
  • Check for follow-on REGISTER or INVITE activity from the same source within the next hour.
  • Confirm whether Esql.client_ip is an expected management or monitoring host for the Esql.server_ip PBX/SBC.

False positive analysis

  • PBX auto-provisioning, extension audits, or SBC health checks may generate OPTIONS to many extensions from a fixed management IP. Add exceptions for those sources only after documenting the tool and schedule.

Response and remediation

  • Block the scanning Esql.client_ip at the SBC or perimeter firewall if the activity is unauthorized.
  • Enforce SIP authentication and rate limits on the targeted PBX/SBC.
  • Hunt for subsequent credential access or toll-fraud INVITE patterns from the same source.
Raw source Potential SIP Extension Enumeration · Elastic TOML
Esc
Published by elastic/detection-rules ↗, licensed under Elastic License 2.0 ↗. Reproduced here unmodified.
[metadata]
creation_date = "2026/07/30"
integration = ["network_traffic"]
maturity = "production"
min_stack_comments = "Requires ES|QL JSON_EXTRACT on _source to read SIP fields across current and legacy schemas."
min_stack_version = "9.4.0"
updated_date = "2026/07/31"

[rule]
author = ["Elastic"]
description = """
Identifies SIP OPTIONS requests targeting many distinct extension values from a single client within two minutes.
Attackers and VoIP scanners use OPTIONS sweeps to discover valid users before REGISTER brute force, toll fraud, or
registration hijacking attempts.
"""
false_positives = [
    """
    Some legitimate provisioning or monitoring tools enumerate extensions during onboarding. Validate the source against
    known PBX management systems before closing.
    """,
]
from = "now-9m"
language = "esql"
license = "Elastic License v2"
max_signals = 5
name = "Potential SIP Extension Enumeration"
note = """## Triage and analysis

### Investigating Potential SIP Extension Enumeration

SIP OPTIONS is commonly used for capability discovery. Attack tools such as SIPvicious send OPTIONS across sequential or randomized extensions to map valid users. High cardinality of `Esql.to_user` values from one client IP is a strong reconnaissance signal on VoIP segments.

### Possible investigation steps

- Review `Esql.sample_extensions` for sequential or patterned usernames indicative of scanning.
- Inspect `Esql.user_agents` for scanner strings such as `friendly-scanner` or SIPvicious variants.
- Check for follow-on REGISTER or INVITE activity from the same source within the next hour.
- Confirm whether `Esql.client_ip` is an expected management or monitoring host for the `Esql.server_ip` PBX/SBC.

### False positive analysis

- PBX auto-provisioning, extension audits, or SBC health checks may generate OPTIONS to many extensions from a fixed management IP. Add exceptions for those sources only after documenting the tool and schedule.

### Response and remediation

- Block the scanning `Esql.client_ip` at the SBC or perimeter firewall if the activity is unauthorized.
- Enforce SIP authentication and rate limits on the targeted PBX/SBC.
- Hunt for subsequent credential access or toll-fraud INVITE patterns from the same source.
"""
references = ["https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1595/", "https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1046/"]
risk_score = 47
rule_id = "e7bf9314-f346-45b5-a6ed-044dc3b839c8"
setup = """## Setup

This rule requires the Elastic **network_traffic** integration with the **SIP** protocol module enabled on a sensor that
observes VoIP signaling traffic. SIP monitoring uses UDP port 5060 by default. Enable the integration's **Use TCP**
option when the monitored environment carries plaintext SIP over TCP; Packetbeat monitors the selected transport.

The rule requires decoded SIP headers. SIP over TLS (commonly TCP 5061) is not visible unless the sensor receives
decrypted traffic or observes plaintext SIP after TLS termination. SRTP encryption does not affect this rule when SIP
signaling remains visible.
"""
severity = "medium"
tags = [
    "Domain: Network",
    "Use Case: Threat Detection",
    "Use Case: Network Security Monitoring",
    "Tactic: Discovery",
    "Tactic: Reconnaissance",
    "Data Source: Network Packet Capture",
    "Resources: Investigation Guide",
]
timestamp_override = "event.ingested"
type = "esql"

query = '''
from logs-network_traffic.sip-*, packetbeat-* metadata _source
| eval
    Esql.method = TO_UPPER(COALESCE(
        JSON_EXTRACT(_source, "network_traffic.sip.method"),
        JSON_EXTRACT(_source, "sip.method")
    )),
    Esql.to_user = COALESCE(
        JSON_EXTRACT(_source, "network_traffic.sip.to.uri.username"),
        JSON_EXTRACT(_source, "sip.to.uri.username")
    ),
    Esql.user_agent = COALESCE(
        JSON_EXTRACT(_source, "network_traffic.sip.user_agent.original"),
        JSON_EXTRACT(_source, "sip.user_agent.original")
    ),
    Esql.client_ip = COALESCE(client.ip, source.ip),
    Esql.server_ip = COALESCE(server.ip, destination.ip)
| where
    Esql.method == "OPTIONS" and
    Esql.to_user is not null and
    Esql.client_ip is not null and
    Esql.server_ip is not null
| eval Esql.time_window = DATE_TRUNC(2 minutes, @timestamp)
| stats
    Esql.distinct_extensions = COUNT_DISTINCT(Esql.to_user),
    Esql.request_count = COUNT(*),
    Esql.sample_extensions = MV_SLICE(VALUES(Esql.to_user), 0, 20),
    Esql.user_agents = MV_SLICE(VALUES(Esql.user_agent), 0, 10)
  by Esql.time_window, Esql.client_ip, Esql.server_ip
| where Esql.distinct_extensions >= 20
| keep Esql.*
'''


[[rule.threat]]
framework = "MITRE ATT&CK"
[[rule.threat.technique]]
id = "T1046"
name = "Network Service Discovery"
reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1046/"


[rule.threat.tactic]
id = "TA0007"
name = "Discovery"
reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0007/"
[[rule.threat]]
framework = "MITRE ATT&CK"
[[rule.threat.technique]]
id = "T1595"
name = "Active Scanning"
reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1595/"


[rule.threat.tactic]
id = "TA0043"
name = "Reconnaissance"
reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0043/"

[rule.alert_suppression]
group_by = ["Esql.client_ip", "Esql.server_ip"]
missing_fields_strategy = "suppress"

[rule.alert_suppression.duration]
unit = "h"
value = 1

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