> 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-new-aws-user-credentials-creation-attempt-from-an-unusual-country.md).

# A new AWS user credentials creation attempt from an unusual country

### Synopsis

| Field                | Value                                                                                                                             |
| -------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Activation Period    | 14 Days                                                                                                                           |
| Training Period      | 30 Days                                                                                                                           |
| Test Period          | 1 Hour                                                                                                                            |
| Deduplication Period | 1 Day                                                                                                                             |
| Required Data        | AWS Audit Log                                                                                                                     |
| Detection Modules    | Cloud                                                                                                                             |
| ATT\&CK Tactic       | Persistence (TA0003)                                                                                                              |
| ATT\&CK Technique    | Create Account: Cloud Account (T1136.003), Create Account (T1136), Account Manipulation: Additional Cloud Credentials (T1098.001) |
| Severity             | Low                                                                                                                               |

### Description

A new AWS user was created from an unusual country and a login profile or access key credential-creation attempt was subsequently made for that user. This combination of activities from an unfamiliar location may indicate an attacker establishing persistent access.

### Attacker's Goals

Create a backdoor IAM user with usable credentials from an unfamiliar location, establishing persistent access to the AWS environment.

### Investigative actions

* Verify whether the identity that created the user is legitimate and authorized.
* Investigate the source country - determine if it belongs to a known VPN, proxy, or threat actor.
* Check what additional API calls were made by the identity.
* Examine the newly created user permissions and any subsequent activity.
* Review whether the created credentials have been used.

### Variations

<details>

<summary>A new AWS user with successfully created credentials from an unusual country</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                                                                                                                             |
| ----------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Persistence (TA0003)                                                                                                              |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Create Account: Cloud Account (T1136.003), Create Account (T1136), Account Manipulation: Additional Cloud Credentials (T1098.001) |
| Severity          | Medium                                                                                                                            |

**Description**

A new AWS user was created from an unusual country and a login profile or access key credential-creation attempt was subsequently made for that user. This combination of activities from an unfamiliar location may indicate an attacker establishing persistent access.

**Attacker's Goals**

Create a backdoor IAM user with usable credentials from an unfamiliar location, establishing persistent access to the AWS environment.

* Maintain persistence in cloud environments.

**Investigative actions**

* Verify whether the identity that created the user is legitimate and authorized.
* Investigate the source country - determine if it belongs to a known VPN, proxy, or threat actor.
* Check what additional API calls were made by the identity.
* Examine the newly created user permissions and any subsequent activity.
* Review whether the created credentials have been used.
* Examine what additional API calls were made by the newly created credentials.

</details>


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