> 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/compute-activity-in-dormant-cloud-region.md).

# Compute activity in dormant cloud region

### 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       | Defense Evasion (TA0005)                                                                                |
| ATT\&CK Technique    | Unused/Unsupported Cloud Regions (T1535)                                                                |
| Severity             | Informational                                                                                           |

### Description

A compute resource was created or updated in a cloud region that has been dormant for this project.

### Attacker's Goals

Create compute resources in unmonitored regions to evade detection for purposes such as hijacking resources or establishing persistence.

### Investigative actions

* Verify if compute resources are authorized in this region.
* Terminate unauthorized compute resources and disable unused regions.

### Variations

<details>

<summary>Compute activity in dormant cloud region from a non-VPN IP address</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                                    |
| ----------------- | ---------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Defense Evasion (TA0005)                 |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Unused/Unsupported Cloud Regions (T1535) |
| Severity          | Informational                            |

**Description**

A compute resource was created or updated in a cloud region that has been dormant for this project.

**Attacker's Goals**

Create compute resources in unmonitored regions to evade detection for purposes such as hijacking resources or establishing persistence.

**Investigative actions**

* Verify if compute resources are authorized in this region.
* Terminate unauthorized compute resources and disable unused regions.

</details>

<details>

<summary>A cloud compute instance was created in a dormant region</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                                    |
| ----------------- | ---------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Defense Evasion (TA0005)                 |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Unused/Unsupported Cloud Regions (T1535) |
| Severity          | Medium                                   |

**Description**

A compute resource was created or updated in a cloud region that has been dormant for this project.

**Attacker's Goals**

Create compute resources in unmonitored regions to evade detection for purposes such as hijacking resources or establishing persistence.

**Investigative actions**

* Verify if compute resources are authorized in this region.
* Terminate unauthorized compute resources and disable unused regions.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Compute activity in dormant cloud region by a compromised AWS access key</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                                    |
| ----------------- | ---------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Defense Evasion (TA0005)                 |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Unused/Unsupported Cloud Regions (T1535) |
| Severity          | High                                     |

**Description**

A compute resource was created or updated in a cloud region that has been dormant for this project.

**Attacker's Goals**

Create compute resources in unmonitored regions to evade detection for purposes such as hijacking resources or establishing persistence.

**Investigative actions**

* Verify if compute resources are authorized in this region.
* Terminate unauthorized compute resources and disable unused regions.

</details>


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