Security Detections MCP

security-detections-mcp

Skill by ara.so — Security Skills collection

An MCP (Model Context Protocol) server providing LLM access to 8,200+ security detection rules across Sigma, Splunk ESCU, Elastic, KQL, Sublime, and CrowdStrike CQL formats, with MITRE ATT&CK mapping, coverage analysis, and autonomous detection engineering.

What It Does

• Unified detection search across 6 major security platforms (Sigma, Splunk, Elastic, KQL, Sublime, CrowdStrike)
• MITRE ATT&CK integration with 172 threat actors, 784 software, 4,362 actor-technique relationships
• Coverage analysis identifying gaps in detection by tactic/technique/actor
• ATT&CK Navigator layers exportable as JSON for visualization
• Autonomous detection pipeline from CTI ingestion to draft PR generation
• 81 MCP tools for detection engineering (local) or ~25 tools (hosted)
• 11 expert prompts for ransomware assessment, APT emulation, purple teaming

Installation

Local Installation (Full Power)

Prerequisites:

• Node.js 18+
• Detection rule repositories cloned locally

Quick start with npx:

npx -y security-detections-mcp

Configure in Claude Desktop (claude_desktop_config.json):

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "security-detections": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "security-detections-mcp"],
      "env": {
        "SIGMA_PATHS": "/path/to/sigma/rules,/path/to/sigma/rules-threat-hunting",
        "SPLUNK_PATHS": "/path/to/security_content/detections",
        "STORY_PATHS": "/path/to/security_content/stories",
        "ELASTIC_PATHS": "/path/to/detection-rules/rules",
        "KQL_PATHS": "/path/to/kql-rules",
        "SUBLIME_PATHS": "/path/to/sublime-rules/detection-rules",
        "CQL_HUB_PATHS": "/path/to/cql-hub/queries",
        "ATTACK_STIX_PATH": "/path/to/enterprise-attack.json"
      }
    }
  }
}

Configure in Cursor (.cursor/settings.json):

{
  "mcp": {
    "servers": {
      "security-detections": {
        "command": "npx",
        "args": ["-y", "security-detections-mcp"],
        "env": {
          "SIGMA_PATHS": "/Users/you/detections/sigma/rules",
          "SPLUNK_PATHS": "/Users/you/detections/security_content/detections"
        }
      }
    }
  }
}

Configure in VS Code (settings.json):

{
  "mcp.servers": {
    "security-detections": {
      "type": "stdio",
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "security-detections-mcp"],
      "env": {
        "SIGMA_PATHS": "/home/you/detections/sigma/rules"
      }
    }
  }
}

Hosted Installation (Zero Setup)

Prerequisites:

• API token from detect.michaelhaag.org/account/tokens
• Free tier: 200 calls/day, read-only tools

Claude Desktop (requires mcp-remote):

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "security-detections": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "mcp-remote",
        "https://detect.michaelhaag.org/api/mcp/mcp",
        "--header",
        "Authorization: Bearer ${SDMCP_TOKEN}"
      ]
    }
  }
}

VS Code / Cursor:

{
  "mcp.servers": {
    "security-detections": {
      "type": "http",
      "url": "https://detect.michaelhaag.org/api/mcp/mcp",
      "headers": {
        "Authorization": "Bearer ${SDMCP_TOKEN}"
      }
    }
  }
}

Getting Detection Content

Download all detection sources with sparse checkout:

mkdir -p ~/detections && cd ~/detections

# Sigma rules
git clone --depth 1 --filter=blob:none --sparse https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma.git
cd sigma && git sparse-checkout set rules rules-threat-hunting && cd ..

# Splunk ESCU
git clone --depth 1 --filter=blob:none --sparse https://github.com/splunk/security_content.git
cd security_content && git sparse-checkout set detections stories && cd ..

# Elastic
git clone --depth 1 --filter=blob:none --sparse https://github.com/elastic/detection-rules.git
cd detection-rules && git sparse-checkout set rules && cd ..

# KQL
git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/Bert-JanP/Hunting-Queries-Detection-Rules.git kql-bertjanp
git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/jkerai1/KQL-Queries.git kql-jkerai1

# Sublime
git clone --depth 1 --filter=blob:none --sparse https://github.com/sublime-security/sublime-rules.git
cd sublime-rules && git sparse-checkout set detection-rules && cd ..

# CrowdStrike CQL
git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/ByteRay-Labs/Query-Hub.git cql-hub

# MITRE ATT&CK STIX
curl -o enterprise-attack.json https://raw.githubusercontent.com/mitre/cti/master/enterprise-attack/enterprise-attack.json

Then update environment variables to point to these paths.

Core MCP Tools

Detection Search & Retrieval

// Full-text search across all detections
{
  "name": "search",
  "arguments": {
    "query": "process injection",
    "limit": 10
  }
}

// Get specific detection by ID
{
  "name": "get_by_id",
  "arguments": {
    "id": "sigma_abc123"
  }
}

// List all detections with pagination
{
  "name": "list_all",
  "arguments": {
    "limit": 50,
    "offset": 0
  }
}

// Filter by source type
{
  "name": "list_by_source",
  "arguments": {
    "source_type": "sigma"  // sigma, splunk_escu, elastic, kql, sublime, crowdstrike_cql
  }
}

// Get index statistics
{
  "name": "get_stats",
  "arguments": {}
}

MITRE ATT&CK Filtering

// Find detections for specific technique
{
  "name": "list_by_mitre",
  "arguments": {
    "technique_id": "T1059.001"  // PowerShell
  }
}

// Filter by tactic
{
  "name": "list_by_mitre_tactic",
  "arguments": {
    "tactic": "execution"  // execution, persistence, privilege-escalation, etc.
  }
}

// Search by CVE
{
  "name": "list_by_cve",
  "arguments": {
    "cve_id": "CVE-2021-34527"  // PrintNightmare
  }
}

// Find by process name
{
  "name": "list_by_process_name",
  "arguments": {
    "process_name": "powershell.exe"
  }
}

// Filter by severity
{
  "name": "list_by_severity",
  "arguments": {
    "level": "critical"  // critical, high, medium, low
  }
}

// Filter by data source
{
  "name": "list_by_data_source",
  "arguments": {
    "data_source": "process_creation"
  }
}

Coverage Analysis

// Analyze overall coverage (~2KB response)
{
  "name": "analyze_coverage",
  "arguments": {
    "source_type": "sigma"  // optional: analyze specific source
  }
}

// Identify gaps for threat profile (~500B response)
{
  "name": "identify_gaps",
  "arguments": {
    "threat_profile": "ransomware"  // ransomware, apt, persistence, lateral_movement
  }
}

// Get detection suggestions for technique (~2KB)
{
  "name": "suggest_detections",
  "arguments": {
    "technique_id": "T1003.001"  // LSASS Memory
  }
}

// Coverage summary by tactic (~200B)
{
  "name": "get_coverage_summary",
  "arguments": {
    "source_type": "splunk_escu"
  }
}

// Analyze coverage against threat actor
{
  "name": "analyze_actor_coverage",
  "arguments": {
    "actor": "APT29"
  }
}

// Compare coverage across multiple actors
{
  "name": "compare_actor_coverage",
  "arguments": {
    "actors": ["APT29", "APT28", "Lazarus Group"]
  }
}

// Behavioral procedure breakdown for technique
{
  "name": "analyze_procedure_coverage",
  "arguments": {
    "technique_id": "T1055"
  }
}

ATT&CK Navigator Layer Generation

// Generate Navigator layer JSON
{
  "name": "generate_navigator_layer",
  "arguments": {
    "name": "Current Coverage",
    "description": "Detection coverage as of 2024-01",
    "filter": {
      "source": "sigma",
      "tactic": "defense-evasion",
      "min_severity": "medium"
    },
    "color_by": "coverage"  // coverage, severity, source
  }
}

// Export to file (local only)
{
  "name": "export_navigator_layer",
  "arguments": {
    "output_path": "./coverage-layer.json",
    "filter": {
      "actor": "APT29"
    }
  }
}

Common Patterns

Ransomware Readiness Assessment

Use the built-in prompt:

Use the ransomware-readiness-assessment prompt to evaluate our coverage

Or manually:

// 1. Identify gaps
{
  "name": "identify_gaps",
  "arguments": {
    "threat_profile": "ransomware"
  }
}

// 2. Get detections for weak areas
{
  "name": "list_by_mitre",
  "arguments": {
    "technique_id": "T1486"  // Data Encrypted for Impact
  }
}

// 3. Generate coverage layer
{
  "name": "generate_navigator_layer",
  "arguments": {
    "name": "Ransomware Coverage",
    "filter": {
      "threat_profile": "ransomware"
    }
  }
}

APT Threat Emulation

// 1. Analyze actor coverage
{
  "name": "analyze_actor_coverage",
  "arguments": {
    "actor": "APT29"
  }
}

// 2. Get techniques used by actor
{
  "name": "get_actor_techniques",
  "arguments": {
    "actor": "APT29"
  }
}

// 3. Find detections for each technique
{
  "name": "list_by_mitre",
  "arguments": {
    "technique_id": "T1059.001"
  }
}

// 4. Compare with other actors
{
  "name": "compare_actor_coverage",
  "arguments": {
    "actors": ["APT29", "APT28"]
  }
}

Detection Gap Analysis

// 1. Get coverage summary
{
  "name": "get_coverage_summary",
  "arguments": {}
}

// 2. Analyze coverage by tactic
{
  "name": "analyze_coverage",
  "arguments": {}
}

// 3. Identify specific gaps
{
  "name": "identify_gaps",
  "arguments": {
    "threat_profile": "apt"
  }
}

// 4. Get suggestions for weak techniques
{
  "name": "suggest_detections",
  "arguments": {
    "technique_id": "T1078"  // Valid Accounts
  }
}

Building Detection Content

// 1. Search existing detections for pattern
{
  "name": "search",
  "arguments": {
    "query": "lateral movement SMB",
    "limit": 10
  }
}

// 2. Analyze procedure coverage
{
  "name": "analyze_procedure_coverage",
  "arguments": {
    "technique_id": "T1021.002"  // SMB/Windows Admin Shares
  }
}

// 3. Get detection template
{
  "name": "generate_detection_template",
  "arguments": {
    "technique_id": "T1021.002",
    "format": "sigma"
  }
}

// 4. Validate against existing detections
{
  "name": "list_by_mitre",
  "arguments": {
    "technique_id": "T1021.002"
  }
}

Cross-Platform Detection Comparison

// Compare Sigma vs Splunk for technique
// 1. Get Sigma detections
{
  "name": "list_by_mitre",
  "arguments": {
    "technique_id": "T1003.001"
  }
}

// Filter results by source_type: "sigma"

// 2. Get Splunk detections
{
  "name": "list_by_source",
  "arguments": {
    "source_type": "splunk_escu"
  }
}

// Filter by same technique

// 3. Compare coverage
{
  "name": "analyze_coverage",
  "arguments": {
    "source_type": "sigma"
  }
}

{
  "name": "analyze_coverage",
  "arguments": {
    "source_type": "splunk_escu"
  }
}

Configuration Reference

Environment Variables

Source Type Values

• sigma - Sigma rules (YAML)
• splunk_escu - Splunk Enterprise Security Content Update
• elastic - Elastic Security detection rules
• kql - Kusto Query Language hunting queries
• sublime - Sublime Security detection rules
• crowdstrike_cql - CrowdStrike Query Language (CQL)

Tactic Values (MITRE ATT&CK)

• reconnaissance
• resource-development
• initial-access
• execution
• persistence
• privilege-escalation
• defense-evasion
• credential-access
• discovery
• lateral-movement
• collection
• command-and-control
• exfiltration
• impact

Troubleshooting

MCP Server Not Indexing Rules

Problem: get_stats shows 0 detections

Solution:

1. Verify paths exist: ls -la /path/to/sigma/rules
2. Check environment variables are set correctly in MCP config
3. Rebuild index manually:

   {
     "name": "rebuild_index",
     "arguments": {}
   }
   

4. Check MCP server logs in Claude Desktop: ~/Library/Logs/Claude/mcp*.log

Permission Denied Errors

Problem: Cannot read detection files

Solution:

# Fix permissions on detection directories
chmod -R 755 ~/detections

Hosted MCP 401 Unauthorized

Problem: Token authentication failing

Solution:

1. Verify token starts with sdmcp_
2. Check token is not expired at detect.michaelhaag.org/account/tokens
3. Ensure Authorization: Bearer header format is correct
4. Free tier rate limit: 200 calls/day

Missing MITRE ATT&CK Data

Problem: Actor/technique queries return empty

Solution:

1. Download STIX bundle:

   curl -o ~/detections/enterprise-attack.json \
     https://raw.githubusercontent.com/mitre/cti/master/enterprise-attack/enterprise-attack.json
   

2. Set ATTACK_STIX_PATH environment variable
3. Rebuild index

Sigma Rules Not Parsing

Problem: Some Sigma rules show errors

Solution:

• Ensure you're using the official SigmaHQ repo
• Update to latest rules: cd sigma && git pull
• Some experimental rules may have schema issues - this is expected
• Check parsing errors in MCP logs

Slow Initial Index Build

Problem: First startup takes 30+ seconds

Solution:

• Expected behavior with 8,200+ detections
• Subsequent startups use cached index (~2 seconds)
• Use hosted MCP for zero startup time
• Reduce PATHS to only needed sources

Advanced Usage

Custom Detection Repositories

Add your private detections:

{
  "env": {
    "SIGMA_PATHS": "/path/to/sigma/rules,/path/to/my-custom-sigma",
    "SPLUNK_PATHS": "/path/to/security_content/detections,/path/to/internal-splunk"
  }
}

Autonomous Detection Pipeline

Enable autonomous CTI → detection generation:

// Configure autonomous settings (local only)
{
  "name": "configure_autonomous",
  "arguments": {
    "enabled": true,
    "cti_sources": ["misp", "otx"],
    "auto_pr": false  // Manual review before PR
  }
}

// Trigger gap analysis
{
  "name": "run_autonomous_analysis",
  "arguments": {
    "threat_actor": "APT29"
  }
}

See Autonomous docs for full pipeline details.

Exporting for SIEM

// Export detections in native format
{
  "name": "export_detections",
  "arguments": {
    "technique_id": "T1055",
    "format": "sigma",  // or splunk, elastic, kql
    "output_path": "./exports/process_injection.yml"
  }
}

Expert Prompts

Built-in workflows accessible by name:

• ransomware-readiness-assessment - Full kill-chain coverage analysis
• apt-threat-emulation - Actor-specific detection mapping
• purple-team-exercise - Combined offensive/defensive planning
• executive-briefing - High-level coverage summary
• detection-sprint-planning - Engineering backlog prioritization
• insider-threat-detection - Privilege abuse coverage
• cloud-security-assessment - Cloud-specific technique coverage
• supply-chain-security - Third-party risk detection
• data-exfiltration-defense - Exfiltration technique coverage
• initial-access-hardening - Entry point detection review
• credential-theft-protection - Credential access coverage

Usage:

Use the ransomware-readiness-assessment prompt

Resources

• GitHub: https://github.com/MHaggis/Security-Detections-MCP
• Web App: https://detect.michaelhaag.org
• Setup Guide: https://github.com/MHaggis/Security-Detections-MCP/blob/main/SETUP.md
• Hosted MCP Guide: https://github.com/MHaggis/Security-Detections-MCP/blob/main/docs/HOSTED_MCP.md
• Tools Reference: https://github.com/MHaggis/Security-Detections-MCP/blob/main/docs/wiki/Tools-Reference.md
• API Token: https://detect.michaelhaag.org/account/tokens