> 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/external-saas-file-sharing-activity.md).

# External SaaS file-sharing activity

### Synopsis

| Field                | Value                                                                                                                             |
| -------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Activation Period    | 14 Days                                                                                                                           |
| Training Period      | 30 Days                                                                                                                           |
| Test Period          | 10 Minutes                                                                                                                        |
| Deduplication Period | 1 Day                                                                                                                             |
| Required Data        | <p>Requires one of the following data sources:<br>Box Audit Log OR DropBox OR Google Workspace Audit Logs OR Office 365 Audit</p> |
| Detection Modules    | Identity Threat Module                                                                                                            |
| Detector Tags        | Data Detection & Response                                                                                                         |
| ATT\&CK Tactic       | Collection (TA0009)                                                                                                               |
| ATT\&CK Technique    | Data from Cloud Storage (T1530)                                                                                                   |
| Severity             | Informational                                                                                                                     |

### Description

A user shared files from within a SaaS service to an external domain.

### Attacker's Goals

An attacker may share files from a SaaS service to exfiltrate sensitive data.

### Investigative actions

* Check for signs of account compromise, such as abnormal login activity or unusual behavior.
* Determine if the files are shared with users outside the organization and if the recipients are familiar.
* Review the files that were shared to determine if they contain sensitive data.
* Analyze the file types that were shared.
* Monitor the account for any further suspicious actions.

### Variations

<details>

<summary>SaaS external file sharing to an abnormal domain</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                           |
| ----------------- | ------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Collection (TA0009)             |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Data from Cloud Storage (T1530) |
| Severity          | Low                             |

**Description**

A user shared files to an external domain, which the organization does not typically share files with.

**Attacker's Goals**

An attacker may share files from a SaaS service to exfiltrate sensitive data.

**Investigative actions**

* Check for signs of account compromise, such as abnormal login activity or unusual behavior.
* Determine if the files are shared with users outside the organization and if the recipients are familiar.
* Review the files that were shared to determine if they contain sensitive data.
* Analyze the file types that were shared.
* Monitor the account for any further suspicious actions.

</details>


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