---
title: Ollama API Accessed from External Network
description: Detects when the Ollama LLM server accepts connections from external IP addresses. Ollama lacks built-in authentication, so exposed instances allow unauthenticated...
url: https://www.elastic.co/docs/reference/security/prebuilt-rules/rules/cross-platform/initial_access_ollama_api_external_access
products:
  - Elastic Security
---

# Ollama API Accessed from External Network
Detects when the Ollama LLM server accepts connections from external IP addresses. Ollama lacks built-in authentication,
so exposed instances allow unauthenticated model theft, prompt injection, and resource hijacking.
**Rule type**: eql
**Rule indices**:
- logs-endpoint.events.network-*

**Rule Severity**: medium
**Risk Score**: 47
**Runs every**: 
**Searches indices from**: `now-9m`
**Maximum alerts per execution**: 100
**References**:
- [[https://www.greynoise.io/blog/threat-actors-actively-targeting-llms](https://www.greynoise.io/blog/threat-actors-actively-targeting-llms)](https://www.greynoise.io/blog/threat-actors-actively-targeting-llms)
- [[https://atlas.mitre.org/techniques/AML.T0040](https://atlas.mitre.org/techniques/AML.T0040)](https://atlas.mitre.org/techniques/AML.T0040)
- [[https://atlas.mitre.org/techniques/AML.T0044](https://atlas.mitre.org/techniques/AML.T0044)](https://atlas.mitre.org/techniques/AML.T0044)

**Tags**:
- Domain: Endpoint
- OS: Linux
- OS: macOS
- OS: Windows
- Use Case: Threat Detection
- Tactic: Initial Access
- Data Source: Elastic Defend
- Resources: Investigation Guide
- Domain: LLM
- Mitre Atlas: T0040
- Mitre Atlas: T0044

**Version**: 1
**Rule authors**:
- Elastic

**Rule license**: Elastic License v2

## Investigation guide


## Triage and analysis


### Investigating Ollama API Accessed from External Network

This rule detects when Ollama accepts connections from external IP addresses. Ollama binds to localhost:11434 by default but can be exposed via OLLAMA_HOST. Since Ollama lacks authentication, exposed instances allow unauthenticated model theft, prompt injection, and resource hijacking.

### Possible investigation steps

- Check the OLLAMA_HOST environment variable to determine if external exposure was intentional.
- Review the source IP address to identify if it's a known attacker, scanner, or miscategorized internal system.
- Examine Ollama logs for suspicious API calls to /api/pull, /api/push, or /api/generate.
- Check ~/.ollama/models/ for unexpected model downloads that may indicate model poisoning.
- Review network traffic for data exfiltration following the connection.
- Look for child processes spawned by Ollama that may indicate exploitation.


### False positive analysis

- Internal networks not properly classified in CIDR ranges may trigger false positives.
- Load balancers or reverse proxies accessing Ollama from external-facing IPs within trusted infrastructure.
- Legitimate remote access through VPN or authenticated proxy (add proxy IPs to exclusions).


### Response and remediation

- Restrict access immediately by setting OLLAMA_HOST=127.0.0.1:11434 or applying firewall rules.
- If exploitation is suspected, stop Ollama and audit ~/.ollama/models/ for unauthorized models.
- Review Ollama and system logs for signs of compromise.
- Consider running Ollama in a container with network isolation.


## Rule Query

```eql
network where event.action == "connection_accepted" and
  process.name in ("ollama", "ollama.exe") and
  destination.port == 11434 and
  source.ip != null and source.ip != "0.0.0.0" and
  not cidrmatch(source.ip, 
    "10.0.0.0/8", 
    "127.0.0.0/8", 
    "169.254.0.0/16", 
    "172.16.0.0/12", 
    "192.168.0.0/16",
    "100.64.0.0/10",
    "::1",
    "fe80::/10",
    "fc00::/7",
    "ff00::/8"
  )
```

**Framework:** MITRE ATT&CK
- Tactic:
  - Name: Initial Access
- Id: TA0001
- Reference URL: [[https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0001/](https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0001/)](https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0001/)
- Technique:
  - Name: Exploit Public-Facing Application
- Id: T1190
- Reference URL: [[https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1190/](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1190/)](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1190/)