> 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/invalid-saml-detected.md).
# Invalid SAML Detected
### Synopsis
| Field | Value |
| -------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------- |
| Activation Period | 14 Days |
| Training Period | 30 Days |
| Test Period | N/A (single event) |
| Deduplication Period | 1 Day |
| Required Data | Requires all of the following:
AzureAD
Okta
|
| Detection Modules | Identity Threat Module |
| Detector Tags | Active Directory Federation Services Analytics |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Credential Access (TA0006) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Forge Web Credentials: SAML Tokens (T1606.002) |
| Severity | Informational |
### Description
A user attempted to sign in using an invalid SAML. This might indicate a Golden SAML attack.
### Attacker's Goals
An attacker might forge a valid SAML token to impersonate other user accounts. This is used to gain persistent, unauthorized access to cloud resources, and bypassing MFA.
### Investigative actions
* Check for recent changes to the SAML signing certificate on both the Identity Provider and the Service Provider to rule out a configuration drift or expiration issue.
* Check for other correlated alerts on on-premises systems that may be related to the Golden SAML attack.
* Look for signs that the user account is compromised (e.g. abnormal logins, unusual activity).
### Variations
Suspicious Invalid SAML Detected
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | ---------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Credential Access (TA0006) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Forge Web Credentials: SAML Tokens (T1606.002) |
| Severity | Low |
**Description**
A user attempted to sign in using an invalid SAML. This might indicate a Golden SAML attack.
**Attacker's Goals**
An attacker might forge a valid SAML token to impersonate other user accounts. This is used to gain persistent, unauthorized access to cloud resources, and bypassing MFA.
**Investigative actions**
* Check for recent changes to the SAML signing certificate on both the Identity Provider and the Service Provider to rule out a configuration drift or expiration issue.
* Check for other correlated alerts on on-premises systems that may be related to the Golden SAML attack.
* Look for signs that the user account is compromised (e.g. abnormal logins, unusual activity).
---
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