> 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-compromised-process-accessed-a-rare-external-host.md).

# A compromised process accessed a rare external host

### Synopsis

| Field                | Value                                                                                              |
| -------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Activation Period    | 14 Days                                                                                            |
| Training Period      | 30 Days                                                                                            |
| Test Period          | 2 Hours                                                                                            |
| Deduplication Period | 1 Day                                                                                              |
| Required Data        | <p>Requires all of the following:<br>XDR Agent<br>XDR Agent with eXtended Threat Hunting (XTH)</p> |
| Detector Tags        | EDR Windows C2 Analytics                                                                           |
| ATT\&CK Tactic       | Command and Control (TA0011)                                                                       |
| ATT\&CK Technique    | Application Layer Protocol (T1071)                                                                 |
| Severity             | Low                                                                                                |

### Description

A compromised process accessed a rare external host.

### Attacker's Goals

Communicate with the attacker's Command and Control (C2) infrastructure while leveraging a compromised process to evade detection.

### Investigative actions

* Investigate the compromised process.
* Check the rare remote host.

### Variations

<details>

<summary>A process compromised by DLL sideloading accessed a rare external host and transferred a large amount of data</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                              |
| ----------------- | ---------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Command and Control (TA0011)       |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Application Layer Protocol (T1071) |
| Severity          | High                               |

**Description**

A process compromised by DLL sideloading accessed a rare external host and transferred a large amount of data.

**Attacker's Goals**

Communicate with the attacker's Command and Control (C2) infrastructure while leveraging a compromised process to evade detection.

**Investigative actions**

* Investigate the compromised process.
* Check the rare remote host.

</details>

<details>

<summary>A process compromised by DLL sideloading accessed a rare external host</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                              |
| ----------------- | ---------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Command and Control (TA0011)       |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Application Layer Protocol (T1071) |
| Severity          | Medium                             |

**Description**

A process compromised by DLL sideloading accessed a rare external host.

**Attacker's Goals**

Communicate with the attacker's Command and Control (C2) infrastructure while leveraging a compromised process to evade detection.

**Investigative actions**

* Investigate the compromised process.
* Check the rare remote host.

</details>

<details>

<summary>An injected process accessed a rare external host</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                              |
| ----------------- | ---------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Command and Control (TA0011)       |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Application Layer Protocol (T1071) |
| Severity          | Medium                             |

**Description**

An injected process accessed a rare external host.

**Attacker's Goals**

Communicate with the attacker's Command and Control (C2) infrastructure while leveraging a compromised process to evade detection.

**Investigative actions**

* Investigate the compromised process.
* Check the rare remote host.

</details>


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