> 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-user-login-to-domain-controller.md).
# Abnormal User Login to Domain Controller
### 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 |
| Detection Modules | Identity Analytics |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Lateral Movement (TA0008), Privilege Escalation (TA0004) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Valid Accounts (T1078), Use Alternate Authentication Material (T1550) |
| Severity | Informational |
### Description
A user account has successfully logged on to a Domain Controller (DC), generating a Windows Event Log. This may be a sign of DC and Active Directory (AD) compromise.
### Attacker's Goals
A malicious user may attempt to access a domain controller to access and control Active Directory.
### Investigative actions
* Ensure that the user is not a Domain Admin account. By default, Administrator groups have permission to access the domain controller.
* Check if the user is a service account that accesses a domain controller as part of its normal behavior.
* Verify that the user is not authenticating to group policy.
### Variations
Rare RDP User Login to Domain Controller by an Abnormal Department
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Lateral Movement (TA0008), Privilege Escalation (TA0004) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Valid Accounts (T1078), Use Alternate Authentication Material (T1550) |
| Severity | Medium |
**Description**
A user account has successfully interactively logged on to a Domain Controller (DC), generating a Windows Event Log. This may be a sign of DC and Active Directory (AD) compromise.
**Attacker's Goals**
A malicious user may attempt to access a domain controller to access and control Active Directory.
**Investigative actions**
* Ensure that the user is not a Domain Admin account. By default, Administrator groups have permission to access the domain controller.
* Check if the user is a service account that accesses a domain controller as part of its normal behavior.
* Verify that the user is not authenticating to group policy.
Abnormal RDP User Login to Domain Controller
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Lateral Movement (TA0008), Privilege Escalation (TA0004) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Valid Accounts (T1078), Use Alternate Authentication Material (T1550) |
| Severity | Low |
**Description**
A user account has successfully interactively logged on to a Domain Controller (DC), generating a Windows Event Log. This may be a sign of DC and Active Directory (AD) compromise.
**Attacker's Goals**
A malicious user may attempt to access a domain controller to access and control Active Directory.
**Investigative actions**
* Ensure that the user is not a Domain Admin account. By default, Administrator groups have permission to access the domain controller.
* Check if the user is a service account that accesses a domain controller as part of its normal behavior.
* Verify that the user is not authenticating to group policy.
RDP User Login to Domain Controller
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Lateral Movement (TA0008), Privilege Escalation (TA0004) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Valid Accounts (T1078), Use Alternate Authentication Material (T1550) |
| Severity | Informational |
**Description**
A user account has successfully logged on to a Domain Controller (DC), generating a Windows Event Log. This may be a sign of DC and Active Directory (AD) compromise.
**Attacker's Goals**
A malicious user may attempt to access a domain controller to access and control Active Directory.
**Investigative actions**
* Ensure that the user is not a Domain Admin account. By default, Administrator groups have permission to access the domain controller.
* Check if the user is a service account that accesses a domain controller as part of its normal behavior.
* Verify that the user is not authenticating to group policy.
Abnormal User Login to Domain Controller by an Abnormal Department
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Lateral Movement (TA0008), Privilege Escalation (TA0004) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Valid Accounts (T1078), Use Alternate Authentication Material (T1550) |
| Severity | Informational |
**Description**
A user account has successfully logged on to a Domain Controller (DC), generating a Windows Event Log. This may be a sign of DC and Active Directory (AD) compromise.
**Attacker's Goals**
A malicious user may attempt to access a domain controller to access and control Active Directory.
**Investigative actions**
* Ensure that the user is not a Domain Admin account. By default, Administrator groups have permission to access the domain controller.
* Check if the user is a service account that accesses a domain controller as part of its normal behavior.
* Verify that the user is not authenticating to group policy.
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