> 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-rare-ftp-user-has-been-detected-on-an-existing-ftp-server.md).
# A rare FTP user has been detected on an existing FTP server
### Synopsis
| Field | Value |
| -------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Activation Period | 14 Days |
| Training Period | 30 Days |
| Test Period | N/A (single event) |
| Deduplication Period | 1 Day |
| Required Data | Palo Alto Networks Firewall EAL Logs |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Initial Access (TA0001), Collection (TA0009) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Data from Information Repositories (T1213), Valid Accounts (T1078) |
| Severity | Low |
### Description
A rare or new FTP user has been detected on an existing FTP server.
### Attacker's Goals
* Attackers may seek to access FTP resources to exfiltrate data, stage attack tools or create a command and control channel through a trusted service.
### Investigative actions
* Verify that the new username is legitimate.\* Examine the legitimacy of the application that produced this uncommon FTP.
* Examine the parent process of this application.
* Check the logs on the FTP server for a new user creation.
### Variations
Possible FTP User Scanning Detected
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Initial Access (TA0001), Collection (TA0009) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Data from Information Repositories (T1213), Valid Accounts (T1078) |
| Severity | Low |
**Description**
A rare or new FTP user has been detected on an existing FTP server.
**Attacker's Goals**
* Attackers may seek to access FTP resources to exfiltrate data, stage attack tools or create a command and control channel through a trusted service.
**Investigative actions**
* Verify that the new username is legitimate.\* Examine the legitimacy of the application that produced this uncommon FTP.
* Examine the parent process of this application.
* Check the logs on the FTP server for a new user creation.
---
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