> 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/execution-of-an-uncommon-process-at-an-early-startup-stage-by-windows-system-binary.md).

# Execution of an uncommon process at an early startup stage by Windows system binary

### 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        | Generic Persistence Analytics             |
| ATT\&CK Tactic       | Persistence (TA0003)                      |
| ATT\&CK Technique    | Boot or Logon Autostart Execution (T1547) |
| Severity             | Low                                       |

### Description

Uncommon execution of an executable found in an early startup stage by Windows system binary.

### Attacker's Goals

* Attackers aim to get persistence to continue operating even after a reboot.

### Investigative actions

* Check if the Causality Group Owner (CGO) has a related persistence mechanism that may have been abused by an attacker.

### Variations

<details>

<summary>Execution of an uncommon process at an early startup stage by Windows system binary with suspicious characteristics</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                                     |
| ----------------- | ----------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Persistence (TA0003)                      |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Boot or Logon Autostart Execution (T1547) |
| Severity          | Low                                       |

**Description**

Uncommon execution of an executable found in an early startup stage by Windows system binary.

**Attacker's Goals**

* Attackers aim to get persistence to continue operating even after a reboot.

**Investigative actions**

* Check if the Causality Group Owner (CGO) has a related persistence mechanism that may have been abused by an attacker.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Execution of an uncommon process at an early startup stage by Windows system binary with uncommon characteristics</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                                     |
| ----------------- | ----------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Persistence (TA0003)                      |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Boot or Logon Autostart Execution (T1547) |
| Severity          | Low                                       |

**Description**

Uncommon execution of an executable found in an early startup stage by Windows system binary.

**Attacker's Goals**

* Attackers aim to get persistence to continue operating even after a reboot.

**Investigative actions**

* Check if the Causality Group Owner (CGO) has a related persistence mechanism that may have been abused by an attacker.

</details>


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