> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/analytics-alerts/alerts-by-name/a-commonly-abused-process-connected-to-a-rare-external-host.md).
# A commonly abused process connected to a rare external host
### Synopsis
| Field | Value |
| -------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------- |
| Activation Period | 14 Days |
| Training Period | 30 Days |
| Test Period | N/A (single event) |
| Deduplication Period | 1 Day |
| Required Data | XDR Agent |
| Detector Tags | EDR Windows C2 Analytics |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Command and Control (TA0011) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Application Layer Protocol: Web Protocols (T1071.001) |
| Severity | Low |
### Description
A commonly abused process connected to a rare external host.
### Attacker's Goals
Communicate with the attacker's Command and Control (C2) infrastructure.
### Investigative actions
* Investigate the actor process connected to the external host.
* Get further details about the uncommon external destination.
* Assess whether this communication pattern is expected or not.
### Variations
A commonly abused renamed process connected to a rare external host
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | ----------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Command and Control (TA0011) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Application Layer Protocol: Web Protocols (T1071.001) |
| Severity | Medium |
**Description**
A commonly abused renamed process connected to a rare external host.
**Attacker's Goals**
Communicate with the attacker's Command and Control (C2) infrastructure.
**Investigative actions**
* Investigate the actor process connected to the external host.
* Get further details about the uncommon external destination.
* Assess whether this communication pattern is expected or not.
A commonly abused process connected to a globally rare external host
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | ----------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Command and Control (TA0011) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Application Layer Protocol: Web Protocols (T1071.001) |
| Severity | Low |
**Description**
A commonly abused process connected to a globally rare external host.
**Attacker's Goals**
Communicate with the attacker's Command and Control (C2) infrastructure.
**Investigative actions**
* Investigate the actor process connected to the external host.
* Get further details about the uncommon external destination.
* Assess whether this communication pattern is expected or not.
A commonly abused rare process connected to a rare external host
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | ----------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Command and Control (TA0011) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Application Layer Protocol: Web Protocols (T1071.001) |
| Severity | Low |
**Description**
A commonly abused rare process connected to a rare external host.
**Attacker's Goals**
Communicate with the attacker's Command and Control (C2) infrastructure.
**Investigative actions**
* Investigate the actor process connected to the external host.
* Get further details about the uncommon external destination.
* Assess whether this communication pattern is expected or not.
---
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