> 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/analytics-enhanced-rare-internal-firewall-vulnerability-threat-alert.md).

# Analytics enhanced - Rare Internal Firewall Vulnerability Threat Alert

### Synopsis

| Field                | Value                                                                                         |
| -------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Activation Period    | 14 Days                                                                                       |
| Training Period      | 30 Days                                                                                       |
| Test Period          | N/A (single event)                                                                            |
| Deduplication Period | 1 Day                                                                                         |
| Required Data        | <p>Requires all of the following:<br>Palo Alto Networks Firewall threat Logs<br>XDR Agent</p> |
| ATT\&CK Tactic       | Reconnaissance (TA0043)                                                                       |
| ATT\&CK Technique    | Active Scanning: Vulnerability Scanning (T1595.002)                                           |
| Severity             | Informational                                                                                 |

### Description

An internal host triggered a firewall vulnerability alert targeting another internal host. This activity is highly anomalous as it deviates from the source host's historical behavior and is rarely seen targeting this specific destination across the organization.

### Attacker's Goals

Adversaries may attempt to exploit a vulnerability to gain initial access, execute malicious code, or move laterally within the internal network.

### Investigative actions

* Verify the firewall alert details, including the threat name, CVE, and severity.
* Inspect the destination internal host for signs of successful exploitation, such as suspicious processes, new files, or unusual outbound connections.
* Determine if the source host is an internal scanner or a compromised asset.
* Review recent changes or updates on the target system that might have exposed the vulnerability.
* Check if the traffic was blocked by the firewall or only detected.

### Variations

<details>

<summary>Analytics enhanced - Rare Internal Firewall Vulnerability Threat Alert Categorized as code-execution/info-leak</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                                               |
| ----------------- | --------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Reconnaissance (TA0043)                             |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Active Scanning: Vulnerability Scanning (T1595.002) |
| Severity          | Informational                                       |

**Description**

An internal host triggered a firewall vulnerability alert targeting another internal host. This activity is highly anomalous as it deviates from the source host's historical behavior and is rarely seen targeting this specific destination across the organization.

**Attacker's Goals**

Adversaries may attempt to exploit a vulnerability to gain initial access, execute malicious code, or move laterally within the internal network.

**Investigative actions**

* Verify the firewall alert details, including the threat name, CVE, and severity.
* Inspect the destination internal host for signs of successful exploitation, such as suspicious processes, new files, or unusual outbound connections.
* Determine if the source host is an internal scanner or a compromised asset.
* Review recent changes or updates on the target system that might have exposed the vulnerability.
* Check if the traffic was blocked by the firewall or only detected.

</details>


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