> 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-rds-snapshot-was-exported-to-an-unknown-s3-bucket.md).

# An RDS snapshot was exported to an unknown S3 bucket

### 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        | Data Detection & Response              |
| ATT\&CK Tactic       | Exfiltration (TA0010)                  |
| ATT\&CK Technique    | Transfer Data to Cloud Account (T1537) |
| Severity             | Low                                    |

### Description

An RDS snapshot was exported to an S3 bucket. The destination S3 bucket was not seen in your organization in the last 30 days.

### Attacker's Goals

Exfiltrate data to an unknown bucket.

### Investigative actions

* Check the legitimacy of the referenced destination bucket.
* Review further logs for the source snapshot ID.
* Review further actions performed by the identity and role.

### Variations

<details>

<summary>An RDS snapshot was exported to an unknown S3 bucket by an admin identity</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                                  |
| ----------------- | -------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Exfiltration (TA0010)                  |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Transfer Data to Cloud Account (T1537) |
| Severity          | Informational                          |

**Description**

An RDS snapshot was exported to an S3 bucket. The destination S3 bucket was not seen in your organization in the last 30 days. The identity has an administrative behavior.

**Attacker's Goals**

Exfiltrate data to an unknown bucket.

**Investigative actions**

* Check the legitimacy of the referenced destination bucket.
* Review further logs for the source snapshot ID.
* Review further actions performed by the identity and role.

</details>

<details>

<summary>An RDS snapshot was exported to an unknown S3 bucket with suspicious indicators</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                                  |
| ----------------- | -------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Exfiltration (TA0010)                  |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Transfer Data to Cloud Account (T1537) |
| Severity          | Medium                                 |

**Description**

An RDS snapshot was exported to an S3 bucket. The destination S3 bucket was not seen in your organization in the last 30 days.

**Attacker's Goals**

Exfiltrate data to an unknown bucket.

**Investigative actions**

* Check the legitimacy of the referenced destination bucket.
* Review further logs for the source snapshot ID.
* Review further actions performed by the identity and role.

</details>

<details>

<summary>An RDS snapshot was exported to an unknown S3 bucket - denied attempt</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                                  |
| ----------------- | -------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Exfiltration (TA0010)                  |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Transfer Data to Cloud Account (T1537) |
| Severity          | Informational                          |

**Description**

A denied attempt to export an RDS snapshot to an unknown S3 bucket.

**Attacker's Goals**

Exfiltrate data to an unknown bucket.

**Investigative actions**

* Check the legitimacy of the referenced destination bucket.
* Review further logs for the source snapshot ID.
* Review further actions performed by the identity and role.

</details>


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