Cisco Duo Bypass Code Generation

The following analytic detects when a Duo user generates a bypass code, which allows them to circumvent multi-factor authentication (2FA) protections. It works by monitoring Duo activity logs for the 'bypass_create' action, renaming the affected object as the user, and aggregating events to identify instances where a bypass code is issued. This behavior is significant for a Security Operations Center (SOC) because generating a bypass code can enable attackers, malicious insiders, or unauthorized administrators to gain access to sensitive systems without the required second authentication factor. Such activity may indicate account compromise, privilege abuse, or attempts to weaken security controls. Early detection of bypass code generation is critical, as it allows the SOC to investigate and respond before an attacker can exploit the reduced authentication requirements, helping to prevent unauthorized access, data breaches, or further lateral movement within the environment. Monitoring for this action helps maintain strong authentication standards and reduces the risk of credential-based attacks.