> 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/conhost-exe-spawned-a-suspicious-cmd-process.md).

# Conhost.exe spawned a suspicious cmd process

### 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        | LOLBIN Execution Analytics            |
| ATT\&CK Tactic       | Stealth (TA0005)                      |
| ATT\&CK Technique    | System Binary Proxy Execution (T1218) |
| Severity             | Low                                   |

### Description

Attackers may abuse the conhost process to execute malicious files and evade detection.

### Attacker's Goals

Investigate the processes being spawned on the host for malicious activities.

### Investigative actions

An adversary may use the conhost process to evade detection.

### Variations

<details>

<summary>Conhost.exe spawned a suspicious powershell encoded command</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                                 |
| ----------------- | ------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Stealth (TA0005)                      |
| ATT\&CK Technique | System Binary Proxy Execution (T1218) |
| Severity          | High                                  |

**Description**

Attackers may abuse the conhost process to execute malicious files and evade detection.

**Attacker's Goals**

Investigate the processes being spawned on the host for malicious activities.

**Investigative actions**

An adversary may use the conhost process to evade detection.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Conhost.exe spawned a suspicious scripting process with long command line</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                                 |
| ----------------- | ------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Stealth (TA0005)                      |
| ATT\&CK Technique | System Binary Proxy Execution (T1218) |
| Severity          | Medium                                |

**Description**

Attackers may abuse the conhost process to execute malicious files and evade detection.

**Attacker's Goals**

Investigate the processes being spawned on the host for malicious activities.

**Investigative actions**

An adversary may use the conhost process to evade detection.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Conhost.exe spawned a suspicious child process</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                                 |
| ----------------- | ------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Stealth (TA0005)                      |
| ATT\&CK Technique | System Binary Proxy Execution (T1218) |
| Severity          | Medium                                |

**Description**

Attackers may abuse the conhost process to execute malicious files and evade detection.

**Attacker's Goals**

Investigate the processes being spawned on the host for malicious activities.

**Investigative actions**

An adversary may use the conhost process to evade detection.

</details>


---

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