Failure Pattern
SIEM enrichment layers often enrich events using metadata that does not reflect true workload identity. Attackers exploit this mismatch.
What We See in the Field
An event appears to originate from a legitimate workload because enrichment applied metadata incorrectly. Analysts chase false identities and miss the real threat.
Underlying Causes
Metadata drift
Identity inferred instead of verified
Multiple enrichment layers compounding inaccuracies
Certificate reuse
Lack of per-session identity binding
Trust-Native Network Resolution
DTL provides verified identity signals. Enrichment layers operate on immutable identity, eliminating identity errors.
Broken Trust Assumption
The attacks that exposed this failure pattern were not stealthy break-ins. They were trusted operations.
During incidents such as SolarWinds, Capital One, and Okta, malicious activity was carried out using valid identities and approved execution paths. Certificates were valid. Tokens were accepted. Sessions were authenticated. From the system’s point of view, nothing appeared wrong.
This is the risk of trust inferred from credentials, location, or prior authentication.