> 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/abnormal-smb-scanning-activity-to-multiple-hosts.md).
# Abnormal SMB scanning activity to multiple hosts
### Synopsis
| Field | Value |
| -------------------- | ----------------------- |
| Activation Period | 14 Days |
| Training Period | 30 Days |
| Test Period | 20 Minutes |
| Deduplication Period | 2 Days |
| Required Data | XDR Agent |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Reconnaissance (TA0043) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Active Scanning (T1595) |
| Severity | Informational |
### Description
An endpoint performed a new, unfamiliar SMB scanning activity to multiple hosts on the network.
### Attacker's Goals
An adversary may use different protocols to enumerate and plan its lateral movement over the network.
### Investigative actions
* Verify if the host is a newly deployed server that consists of SMB services to multiple hosts or periodic network mapping services.
* Verify the legitimacy of the actor process (and its causality) that initiated this SMB traffic.
### Variations
Highly rare SMB scanning activity to multiple hosts
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | ----------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Reconnaissance (TA0043) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Active Scanning (T1595) |
| Severity | Low |
**Description**
An endpoint performed a new, and highly rare, SMB scanning activity to multiple hosts on the network.
**Attacker's Goals**
An adversary may use different protocols to enumerate and plan its lateral movement over the network.
**Investigative actions**
* Verify if the host is a newly deployed server that consists of SMB services to multiple hosts or periodic network mapping services.
* Verify the legitimacy of the actor process (and its causality) that initiated this SMB traffic.
Highly rare SMB scanning activity to multiple hosts
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | ----------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Reconnaissance (TA0043) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Active Scanning (T1595) |
| Severity | Low |
**Description**
An endpoint performed a new, and highly rare SMB scanning activity to multiple hosts on the network.
**Attacker's Goals**
An adversary may use different protocols to enumerate and plan its lateral movement over the network.
**Investigative actions**
* Verify if the host is a newly deployed server that consists of SMB services to multiple hosts or periodic network mapping services.
* Verify the legitimacy of the actor process (and its causality) that initiated this SMB traffic.
Abnormal SMB scanning activity to multiple hosts
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | ----------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Reconnaissance (TA0043) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Active Scanning (T1595) |
| Severity | Low |
**Description**
An endpoint performed a new, unfamiliar SMB scanning activity to multiple hosts on the network.
**Attacker's Goals**
An adversary may use different protocols to enumerate and plan its lateral movement over the network.
**Investigative actions**
* Verify if the host is a newly deployed server that consists of SMB services to multiple hosts or periodic network mapping services.
* Verify the legitimacy of the actor process (and its causality) that initiated this SMB traffic.
Abnormal SMB scanning activity to multiple hosts
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | ----------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Reconnaissance (TA0043) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Active Scanning (T1595) |
| Severity | Low |
**Description**
An endpoint performed a new, unfamiliar SMB scanning activity to multiple hosts on the network.
**Attacker's Goals**
An adversary may use different protocols to enumerate and plan its lateral movement over the network.
**Investigative actions**
* Verify if the host is a newly deployed server that consists of SMB services to multiple hosts or periodic network mapping services.
* Verify the legitimacy of the actor process (and its causality) that initiated this SMB traffic.
---
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