Understanding Threat Intelligence Verdict

Oct 13, 2025 by pynkocean.com 121 views

Introduction

In the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity, threat intelligence plays a crucial role in identifying and mitigating potential threats. Advanced hunting, a feature in Microsoft 365 Defender, allows security analysts to investigate and analyze data from various sources, including the EmailUrlInfo table in XDR. One of the key pieces of information extracted from this table is the "Threat intelligence verdict," which provides insight into whether Defender deems a particular URL as malicious or not. In this article, we will delve into the process of extracting threat intelligence verdict in advanced hunting.

Understanding Threat Intelligence Verdict

What is Threat Intelligence Verdict?

The Threat intelligence verdict is a critical piece of information that provides insight into the potential threat level of a URL. It is generated by Microsoft Defender, which analyzes the URL and its associated metadata to determine whether it is malicious or not. The verdict is based on various factors, including the URL's reputation, its association with known malicious domains, and its behavior on the system.

Types of Threat Intelligence Verdict

There are several types of threat intelligence verdicts that can be extracted from the EmailUrlInfo table in XDR. These include:

Malicious: The URL is deemed malicious by Defender and is likely to be associated with a known threat.
Suspicious: The URL is suspicious and may be associated with a potential threat.
Unknown: The URL is unknown to Defender and requires further analysis.
Legitimate: The URL is legitimate and is not associated with any known threats.

Extracting Threat Intelligence Verdict in Advanced Hunting

Prerequisites

Before extracting the threat intelligence verdict in advanced hunting, you need to have the following prerequisites:

Microsoft 365 Defender: You need to have a Microsoft 365 Defender subscription to access advanced hunting.
XDR: You need to have XDR enabled in your Microsoft 365 Defender subscription to access the EmailUrlInfo table.
KQL: You need to have knowledge of KQL (Kusto Query Language) to write queries to extract the threat intelligence verdict.

Writing a KQL Query

To extract the threat intelligence verdict in advanced hunting, you need to write a KQL query that targets the EmailUrlInfo table. Here is an example query:

EmailUrlInfo
| where Url = "https://example.com"
| project Url, ThreatIntelligenceVerdict

This query targets the EmailUrlInfo table and extracts the URL and threat intelligence verdict for the specified URL.

Analyzing the Results

Once you have extracted the threat intelligence verdict, you need to analyze the results to determine the potential threat level of the URL. You can do this by examining the verdict and its associated metadata.

Best Practices

Here are some best practices to keep in mind when extracting threat intelligence verdict in advanced hunting:

Use KQL: Use KQL to write queries that target the EmailUrlInfo table and extract the threat intelligence verdict.
Analyze results: Analyze the results to determine the potential threat level of the URL.
Use threat intelligence: Use threat intelligence to inform your analysis and make more accurate decisions.

Conclusion

In conclusion, extracting threat intelligence verdict in advanced hunting is a critical step in identifying and mitigating potential threats. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can extract the threat intelligence verdict and analyze the results to determine the potential threat level of a URL. Remember to use KQL to write queries, analyze the results, and use threat intelligence to inform your analysis.

Additional Resources

For more information on advanced hunting and threat intelligence, check out the following resources:

Microsoft 365 Defender: Learn more about Microsoft 365 Defender and its advanced hunting features.
XDR: Learn more about XDR and its capabilities in Microsoft 365 Defender.
KQL: Learn more about KQL and its use in writing queries for advanced hunting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the Threat intelligence verdict? A: The Threat intelligence verdict is a critical piece of information that provides insight into the potential threat level of a URL.

Q: How do I extract the Threat intelligence verdict in advanced hunting? A: You can extract the Threat intelligence verdict in advanced hunting by writing a KQL query that targets the EmailUrlInfo table.

Q: What types of threat intelligence verdicts are there? A: There are several types of threat intelligence verdicts, including malicious, suspicious, unknown, and legitimate.

Q: What is the Threat intelligence verdict?

A: The Threat intelligence verdict is a critical piece of information that provides insight into the potential threat level of a URL. It is generated by Microsoft Defender, which analyzes the URL and its associated metadata to determine whether it is malicious or not.

Q: How do I extract the Threat intelligence verdict in advanced hunting?

A: You can extract the Threat intelligence verdict in advanced hunting by writing a KQL query that targets the EmailUrlInfo table. Here is an example query:

EmailUrlInfo
| where Url = "https://example.com"
| project Url, ThreatIntelligenceVerdict

This query targets the EmailUrlInfo table and extracts the URL and threat intelligence verdict for the specified URL.

Q: What types of threat intelligence verdicts are there?

A: There are several types of threat intelligence verdicts, including:

Malicious: The URL is deemed malicious by Defender and is likely to be associated with a known threat.
Suspicious: The URL is suspicious and may be associated with a potential threat.
Unknown: The URL is unknown to Defender and requires further analysis.
Legitimate: The URL is legitimate and is not associated with any known threats.

Q: How do I analyze the results of the threat intelligence verdict?

A: You can analyze the results by examining the verdict and its associated metadata. For example, if the verdict is "malicious," you can examine the associated metadata to determine the specific threat and its characteristics.

Q: Can I use the threat intelligence verdict to inform my security decisions?

A: Yes, you can use the threat intelligence verdict to inform your security decisions. The verdict provides valuable insight into the potential threat level of a URL, which can help you make more informed decisions about whether to block or allow the URL.

Q: Are there any best practices for extracting and analyzing the threat intelligence verdict?

A: Yes, here are some best practices to keep in mind:

Use KQL: Use KQL to write queries that target the EmailUrlInfo table and extract the threat intelligence verdict.
Analyze results: Analyze the results to determine the potential threat level of the URL.
Use threat intelligence: Use threat intelligence to inform your analysis and make more accurate decisions.

Q: Can I use the threat intelligence verdict in conjunction with other security tools and technologies?

A: Yes, you can use the threat intelligence verdict in conjunction with other security tools and technologies, such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and endpoint security software.

Q: Are there any limitations to the threat intelligence verdict?

A: Yes, there are some limitations to the threat intelligence verdict. For example, the verdict may not always be accurate, and it may not provide a complete picture of the potential threat level of a URL.

Q: How can I stay up-to-date with the latest information on threat intelligence and advanced hunting?

A: You can stay up-to-date with the latest information on threat intelligence and advanced hunting by:

Following Microsoft 365 Defender: Follow Microsoft 365 Defender to stay up-to-date with the latest information on threat intelligence and advanced hunting.
Attending webinars and training sessions: Attend webinars and training sessions to learn more about threat intelligence and advanced hunting.
Reading blogs and articles: Read blogs and articles to stay informed about the latest developments in threat intelligence and advanced hunting.

Conclusion

In conclusion, extracting threat intelligence verdict in advanced hunting is a critical step in identifying and mitigating potential threats. By following the steps outlined in this article and using the best practices outlined above, you can extract the threat intelligence verdict and analyze the results to determine the potential threat level of a URL. Remember to use KQL to write queries, analyze the results, and use threat intelligence to inform your analysis.