> 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/authentication-method-added-to-an-azure-account.md).

# Authentication method added to an Azure account

### Synopsis

| Field                | Value                                         |
| -------------------- | --------------------------------------------- |
| Activation Period    | 14 Days                                       |
| Training Period      | 30 Days                                       |
| Test Period          | N/A (single event)                            |
| Deduplication Period | 1 Day                                         |
| Required Data        | AzureAD Audit Log                             |
| Detection Modules    | Identity Threat Module, SaaS Threat Detection |
| ATT\&CK Tactic       | Persistence (TA0003)                          |
| ATT\&CK Technique    | Valid Accounts (T1078)                        |
| Severity             | Informational                                 |

### Description

An identity attempted to add an Azure authentication method.

### Attacker's Goals

* An attacker can add an authentication method to an account, so they can have later access to the tenant and resources.

### Investigative actions

* Check if the authentication method is legitimate in the organization.
* Check whether the identity is permitted to perform such actions.
* Follow the account for possible suspicious or unusual logins.

### Variations

<details>

<summary>Suspicious authentication method addition to privileged Azure account</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                  |
| ----------------- | ---------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Persistence (TA0003)   |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Valid Accounts (T1078) |
| Severity          | Medium                 |

**Description**

A privileged user added an Azure authentication method.

**Attacker's Goals**

* An attacker can add an authentication method to an account, so they can have later access to the tenant and resources.

**Investigative actions**

* Check if the authentication method is legitimate in the organization.
* Check whether the identity is permitted to perform such actions.
* Follow the account for possible suspicious or unusual logins.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Suspicious authentication method addition to Azure account</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                  |
| ----------------- | ---------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Persistence (TA0003)   |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Valid Accounts (T1078) |
| Severity          | Low                    |

**Description**

An identity added an Azure authentication method.

**Attacker's Goals**

* An attacker can add an authentication method to an account, so they can have later access to the tenant and resources.

**Investigative actions**

* Check if the authentication method is legitimate in the organization.
* Check whether the identity is permitted to perform such actions.
* Follow the account for possible suspicious or unusual logins.

</details>


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