> 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/an-ebs-snapshot-block-was-downloaded.md).

# An EBS snapshot block was downloaded

### Synopsis

| Field                | Value                                                           |
| -------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Activation Period    | 14 Days                                                         |
| Training Period      | 30 Days                                                         |
| Test Period          | N/A (single event)                                              |
| Deduplication Period | 1 Day                                                           |
| Required Data        | AWS Audit Log                                                   |
| Detection Modules    | Cloud                                                           |
| Detector Tags        | Cloud Data Asset Exfiltration, Data Detection & Response        |
| ATT\&CK Tactic       | Collection (TA0009), Exfiltration (TA0010)                      |
| ATT\&CK Technique    | Data from Cloud Storage (T1530), Automated Exfiltration (T1020) |
| Severity             | Informational                                                   |

### Description

An EBS snapshot block was downloaded using the EBS direct API. This may indicate an attacker's attempt to exfiltrate data from a volume snapshot in the cloud environment.

### Attacker's Goals

Exfiltrate sensitive data from the cloud environment.

### Investigative actions

* Check the accessed snapshot and corresponding volume.
* Monitor additional snapshot blocks downloads from the snapshot.
* Verify that the identity did not download any sensitive information that it shouldn't.

### Variations

<details>

<summary>An EBS snapshot block was downloaded from a snapshot with sensitive data</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                                                           |
| ----------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Collection (TA0009), Exfiltration (TA0010)                      |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Data from Cloud Storage (T1530), Automated Exfiltration (T1020) |
| Severity          | Medium                                                          |

**Description**

An EBS snapshot block was downloaded using the EBS direct API. This may indicate an attacker's attempt to exfiltrate data from a volume snapshot in the cloud environment. The snapshot contains sensitive data.

**Attacker's Goals**

Exfiltrate sensitive data from the cloud environment.

**Investigative actions**

* Check the accessed snapshot and corresponding volume.
* Monitor additional snapshot blocks downloads from the snapshot.
* Verify that the identity did not download any sensitive information that it shouldn't.

</details>

<details>

<summary>An unusual download of EBS snapshot block</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                                                           |
| ----------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Collection (TA0009), Exfiltration (TA0010)                      |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Data from Cloud Storage (T1530), Automated Exfiltration (T1020) |
| Severity          | Low                                                             |

**Description**

An EBS snapshot block was downloaded using the EBS direct API. This may indicate an attacker's attempt to exfiltrate data from a volume snapshot in the cloud environment. The operation was not performed by this identity in the last 30 days.

**Attacker's Goals**

Exfiltrate sensitive data from the cloud environment.

**Investigative actions**

* Check the accessed snapshot and corresponding volume.
* Monitor additional snapshot blocks downloads from the snapshot.
* Verify that the identity did not download any sensitive information that it shouldn't.

</details>


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/analytics-alerts/alerts-by-name/an-ebs-snapshot-block-was-downloaded.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.