> 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/elevation-to-system-via-services.md).

# Elevation to SYSTEM via services

### 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 with eXtended Threat Hunting (XTH)                                                                 |
| Detector Tags        | Malicious Service Analytics                                                                                  |
| ATT\&CK Tactic       | Execution (TA0002), Privilege Escalation (TA0004)                                                            |
| ATT\&CK Technique    | Create or Modify System Process: Windows Service (T1543.003), System Services: Service Execution (T1569.002) |
| Severity             | Low                                                                                                          |

### Description

Services were affected by a non SYSTEM integrity level process.

### Attacker's Goals

Escalate privileges to system and execute commands.

### Investigative actions

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

### Variations

<details>

<summary>Elevation to SYSTEM via service creation</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                                                                                                        |
| ----------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Execution (TA0002), Privilege Escalation (TA0004)                                                            |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Create or Modify System Process: Windows Service (T1543.003), System Services: Service Execution (T1569.002) |
| Severity          | Low                                                                                                          |

**Description**

A service was created from a non SYSTEM integrity level process.

**Attacker's Goals**

Escalate privileges to system and execute commands.

**Investigative actions**

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

</details>

<details>

<summary>Elevation to SYSTEM via service modification</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                                                                                                        |
| ----------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Execution (TA0002), Privilege Escalation (TA0004)                                                            |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Create or Modify System Process: Windows Service (T1543.003), System Services: Service Execution (T1569.002) |
| Severity          | Low                                                                                                          |

**Description**

An existing service was modified from a non SYSTEM integrity level process.

**Attacker's Goals**

Escalate privileges to system and execute commands.

**Investigative actions**

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

</details>


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