> 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-mail-forwarding-rule-was-configured-in-google-workspace.md).

# A mail forwarding rule was configured in Google Workspace

### Synopsis

| Field                | Value                                                                                                         |
| -------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Activation Period    | 14 Days                                                                                                       |
| Training Period      | 30 Days                                                                                                       |
| Test Period          | N/A (single event)                                                                                            |
| Deduplication Period | 2 Days                                                                                                        |
| Required Data        | Google Workspace Audit Logs                                                                                   |
| Detection Modules    | Identity Threat Module                                                                                        |
| Detector Tags        | Google Workspace                                                                                              |
| ATT\&CK Tactic       | Collection (TA0009), Exfiltration (TA0010)                                                                    |
| ATT\&CK Technique    | Email Collection: Email Forwarding Rule (T1114.003), Automated Exfiltration (T1020), Email Collection (T1114) |
| Severity             | Medium                                                                                                        |

### Description

A rule was set up to forward emails outside the Google Workspace domain.

### Attacker's Goals

* Adversaries may abuse email forwarding rules to monitor the activities of a victim, steal information, and further gain intelligence on the victim or the victim's organization to use as part of further exploits or operations.
* Furthermore, email forwarding rules can allow adversaries to maintain persistent access to victim's emails even after compromised credentials are reset by administrators.

### Investigative actions

* Check if the identity intended to preform this action, \* and look for signs that the user account and mailbox are compromised (e.g. abnormal logins, unusual activity).
* Check if the forwarding domain is an unknown external domain and look up its reputation.
* Follow further actions done by the account.

### Variations

<details>

<summary>A mail forwarding rule was configured in Google Workspace to an uncommon domain</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                                                                                                         |
| ----------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Collection (TA0009), Exfiltration (TA0010)                                                                    |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Email Collection: Email Forwarding Rule (T1114.003), Automated Exfiltration (T1020), Email Collection (T1114) |
| Severity          | High                                                                                                          |

**Description**

A rule was set up to forward emails outside the Google Workspace domain.

**Attacker's Goals**

* Adversaries may abuse email forwarding rules to monitor the activities of a victim, steal information, and further gain intelligence on the victim or the victim's organization to use as part of further exploits or operations.
* Furthermore, email forwarding rules can allow adversaries to maintain persistent access to victim's emails even after compromised credentials are reset by administrators.

**Investigative actions**

* Check if the identity intended to preform this action, \* and look for signs that the user account and mailbox are compromised (e.g. abnormal logins, unusual activity).
* Check if the forwarding domain is an unknown external domain and look up its reputation.
* Follow further actions done by the account.

</details>


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