> 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/interactive-login-by-a-service-account.md).

# Interactive login by a service account

### 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                                   |
| Detection Modules    | Identity Analytics                          |
| ATT\&CK Tactic       | Initial Access (TA0001)                     |
| ATT\&CK Technique    | Valid Accounts: Domain Accounts (T1078.002) |
| Severity             | Low                                         |

### Description

A service account performed an interactive or remote interactive login.

### Attacker's Goals

Use an account that has access to resources to move laterally in the network and access privileged resources.

### Investigative actions

* See whether the login was successful.
* Check whether the account has done any administrative actions it should not usually do.
* Look for more logins and authentications by the account throughout the network.

### Variations

<details>

<summary>Interactive login by a service account to a sensitive server</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                                       |
| ----------------- | ------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Initial Access (TA0001)                     |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Valid Accounts: Domain Accounts (T1078.002) |
| Severity          | Medium                                      |

**Description**

Interactive login by a service account to a sensitive server.

**Attacker's Goals**

Use an account that has access to resources to move laterally in the network and access privileged resources.

**Investigative actions**

* See whether the login was successful.
* Check whether the account has done any administrative actions it should not usually do.
* Look for more logins and authentications by the account throughout the network.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Failed interactive login by a service account</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                                       |
| ----------------- | ------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Initial Access (TA0001)                     |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Valid Accounts: Domain Accounts (T1078.002) |
| Severity          | Informational                               |

**Description**

A service account performed an interactive or remote interactive login.

**Attacker's Goals**

Use an account that has access to resources to move laterally in the network and access privileged resources.

**Investigative actions**

* See whether the login was successful.
* Check whether the account has done any administrative actions it should not usually do.
* Look for more logins and authentications by the account throughout the network.

</details>


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the following URL with the `ask` and `goal` query parameters:

```
GET https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/analytics-alerts/alerts-by-name/interactive-login-by-a-service-account.md?ask=<question>&goal=<user_goal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is what the user is ultimately trying to achieve, the reason they need the answer. Sharing it helps GitBook give you a better, more relevant answer. A goal is most helpful when it describes the outcome the user wants rather than restating the question. For example, with `ask=how do I create an API token`, a goal like `automate deployments from our CI pipeline` lets GitBook tailor the answer to that use case.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.