> 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/common-third-party-software-name-masquerading.md).

# Common third-party software name masquerading

### Synopsis

| Field                | Value                           |
| -------------------- | ------------------------------- |
| Activation Period    | 14 Days                         |
| Training Period      | 30 Days                         |
| Test Period          | N/A (single event)              |
| Deduplication Period | 1 Day                           |
| Required Data        | XDR Agent                       |
| Detector Tags        | EDR Windows Disguised Processes |
| ATT\&CK Tactic       | Defense Evasion (TA0005)        |
| ATT\&CK Technique    | Masquerading (T1036)            |
| Severity             | Informational                   |

### Description

An attacker might leverage common third-party software image names to run malicious processes without being caught.

### Attacker's Goals

An attacker is attempting to masquerade as a common third-party software image to execute malicious code.

### Investigative actions

* Investigate the executed process image and check if it is malicious.
* Investigate the actor process that executed the process and check if it is malicious.

### Variations

<details>

<summary>Common third-party software name masquerading which was downloaded from an unexpected source</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                    |
| ----------------- | ------------------------ |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Defense Evasion (TA0005) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Masquerading (T1036)     |
| Severity          | Low                      |

**Description**

An attacker might leverage common third-party software image names to run malicious processes without being caught.

**Attacker's Goals**

An attacker is attempting to masquerade as a common third-party software image to execute malicious code.

**Investigative actions**

* Investigate the executed process image and check if it is malicious.
* Investigate the actor process that executed the process and check if it is malicious.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Common third-party software name masquerading with uncommon characteristics by actor with uncommon characteristics</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                    |
| ----------------- | ------------------------ |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Defense Evasion (TA0005) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Masquerading (T1036)     |
| Severity          | Low                      |

**Description**

An attacker might leverage common third-party software image names to run malicious processes without being caught.

**Attacker's Goals**

An attacker is attempting to masquerade as a common third-party software image to execute malicious code.

**Investigative actions**

* Investigate the executed process image and check if it is malicious.
* Investigate the actor process that executed the process and check if it is malicious.

</details>


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