> 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/cloud-instance-creation-attempt.md).

# Cloud instance creation attempt

### Synopsis

| Field                | Value                                                                                                   |
| -------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Activation Period    | 14 Days                                                                                                 |
| Training Period      | 30 Days                                                                                                 |
| Test Period          | N/A (single event)                                                                                      |
| Deduplication Period | 5 Days                                                                                                  |
| Required Data        | <p>Requires one of the following data sources:<br>AWS Audit Log OR Azure Audit Log OR Gcp Audit Log</p> |
| Detection Modules    | Cloud                                                                                                   |
| ATT\&CK Tactic       | Stealth (TA0005), Defense Impairment (TA0112)                                                           |
| ATT\&CK Technique    | Masquerading (T1036), Modify Cloud Compute Infrastructure: Create Cloud Instance (T1578.002)            |
| Severity             | Informational                                                                                           |

### Description

An attempt was made to create a cloud compute instance.

### Attacker's Goals

Create a new cloud instance to evade detection or leverage it for further malicious activity.

### Investigative actions

* Review recent activity related to the identity and the created cloud instance.

### Variations

<details>

<summary>EC2 instance creation with admin profile, public IP address and external security group</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                                                                                        |
| ----------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Stealth (TA0005), Defense Impairment (TA0112)                                                |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Masquerading (T1036), Modify Cloud Compute Infrastructure: Create Cloud Instance (T1578.002) |
| Severity          | High                                                                                         |

**Description**

An attempt was made to create a cloud compute instance.

**Attacker's Goals**

Create a new cloud instance to evade detection or leverage it for further malicious activity.

**Investigative actions**

* Review recent activity related to the identity and the created cloud instance.

</details>

<details>

<summary>EC2 instance creation with admin profile and public IP address</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                                                                                        |
| ----------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Stealth (TA0005), Defense Impairment (TA0112)                                                |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Masquerading (T1036), Modify Cloud Compute Infrastructure: Create Cloud Instance (T1578.002) |
| Severity          | Medium                                                                                       |

**Description**

An attempt was made to create a cloud compute instance.

**Attacker's Goals**

Create a new cloud instance to evade detection or leverage it for further malicious activity.

**Investigative actions**

* Review recent activity related to the identity and the created cloud instance.

</details>


---

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