Windows RDP Connection Successful

name: Windows RDP Connection Successful
id: ceaed840-56b3-4a70-b8e1-d762b1c5c08c
version: 11
creation_date: '2023-04-17'
modification_date: '2026-05-13'
author: Michael Haag, Splunk
status: production
type: Hunting
description: The following analytic detects successful Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) connections by monitoring EventCode 1149 from the Windows TerminalServices RemoteConnectionManager Operational log. This detection is significant as successful RDP connections can indicate remote access to a system, which may be leveraged by attackers to control or exfiltrate data. If confirmed malicious, this activity could lead to unauthorized access, data theft, or further lateral movement within the network. Monitoring successful RDP connections is crucial for identifying potential security breaches and mitigating risks promptly.
data_source:
    - Windows Event Log RemoteConnectionManager 1149
search: |-
    `remoteconnectionmanager` EventCode=1149
      | stats count min(_time) as firstTime max(_time) as lastTime
        BY Computer, user_id
      | `security_content_ctime(firstTime)`
      | `security_content_ctime(lastTime)`
      | rename Computer as dest
      | `windows_rdp_connection_successful_filter`
how_to_implement: The following analyic requires the WIndows TerminalServices RemoteConnectionManager Operational log to be enabled and ingested into Splunk. For the inputs, review https://gist.github.com/MHaggis/138c6bf563bacbda4a2524f089773706.
known_false_positives: False positives will be present, filter as needed or restrict to critical assets on the perimeter.
references:
    - https://gist.github.com/MHaggis/138c6bf563bacbda4a2524f089773706
    - https://doublepulsar.com/rdp-hijacking-how-to-hijack-rds-and-remoteapp-sessions-transparently-to-move-through-an-da2a1e73a5f6
analytic_story:
    - Active Directory Lateral Movement
    - BlackByte Ransomware
    - Windows RDP Artifacts and Defense Evasion
    - Interlock Ransomware
    - NetSupport RMM Tool Abuse
asset_type: Endpoint
mitre_attack_id:
    - T1563.002
product:
    - Splunk Enterprise
    - Splunk Enterprise Security
    - Splunk Cloud
category: endpoint
security_domain: endpoint
tests:
    - name: True Positive Test
      attack_data:
        - data: https://media.githubusercontent.com/media/splunk/attack_data/master/datasets/attack_techniques/T1563.002/windows_rdp_connection_successful/windows-xml.log
          source: WinEventLog:Microsoft-Windows-TerminalServices-RemoteConnectionManager/Operational
          sourcetype: XmlWinEventLog
      test_type: unit