> 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-process-modified-an-ssh-authorized-keys-file.md).
# A process modified an SSH authorized\_keys file
### 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 with eXtended Threat Hunting (XTH) |
| Detector Tags | Kubernetes - AGENT, Containers, Generic Persistence Analytics |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Persistence (TA0003) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Account Manipulation: SSH Authorized Keys (T1098.004) |
| Severity | Informational |
### Description
A process modified an SSH authorized\_keys file, which is used in SSH authentication. An attack can add or remove an SSH key to gain access to a targeted host.
### Attacker's Goals
Adversaries use this to ensure that they possess the corresponding private key and may log in as an existing user via SSH.
### Investigative actions
Check the file modification, try to understand the impact of the related processes and network connections.
### Variations
A process modified an SSH authorized_keys2 file
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | ----------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Persistence (TA0003) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Account Manipulation: SSH Authorized Keys (T1098.004) |
| Severity | Low |
**Description**
A process modified an SSH authorized\_keys file, which is used in SSH authentication. An attack can add or remove an SSH key to gain access to a targeted host.
**Attacker's Goals**
Adversaries use this to ensure that they possess the corresponding private key and may log in as an existing user via SSH.
**Investigative actions**
Check the file modification, try to understand the impact of the related processes and network connections.
A process modified an SSH authorized_keys file from within a Kubernetes Pod
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | ----------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Persistence (TA0003) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Account Manipulation: SSH Authorized Keys (T1098.004) |
| Severity | Low |
**Description**
A process modified an SSH authorized\_keys file, which is used in SSH authentication. An attack can add or remove an SSH key to gain access to a targeted host.
**Attacker's Goals**
Adversaries use this to ensure that they possess the corresponding private key and may log in as an existing user via SSH.
**Investigative actions**
Check the file modification, try to understand the impact of the related processes and network connections.
Unpopular process modified the SSH authorized_keys file
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | ----------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Persistence (TA0003) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Account Manipulation: SSH Authorized Keys (T1098.004) |
| Severity | Low |
**Description**
An unpopular process modified the SSH authorized\_keys file.
**Attacker's Goals**
Adversaries use this to ensure that they possess the corresponding private key and may log in as an existing user via SSH.
**Investigative actions**
Check the file modification, try to understand the impact of the related processes and network connections.
---
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