> 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/ldap-traffic-from-non-standard-process.md).
# LDAP traffic from non-standard process
### 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 |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Discovery (TA0007) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Account Discovery (T1087) |
| Severity | Informational |
### Description
LDAP traffic is usually performed by a standard set of processes. The endpoint had a non-standard process communicating over ports normally used by LDAP. This may be indicative of Active Directory domain enumeration, which may be used during attacks against the organization.
### Attacker's Goals
An attacker is attempting to enumerate Active Directory.
### Investigative actions
* Make sure the process is not a scanner that implements its version of the protocol, and that the scanner use is for sanctioned purposes. For example, nmap enumerating LDAP.
* Make sure the process is not a sanctioned security product that creates standalone binaries for its use. For example, Illusive Network honeypots.
* Investigate the process to see if the high-level language used to implement the application is the source of the alert. Some high-level programming languages provide their protocol implementations.
* Examine the endpoint to see if it is infected with malware. If the parent-child chain of initiating processes has been infiltrated with a malicious replacement, then that replacement could be known malware.
### Variations
LDAP traffic from reverse SSH tunnel
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | ------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Discovery (TA0007) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Account Discovery (T1087) |
| Severity | Medium |
**Description**
LDAP traffic is usually performed by a standard set of processes. The endpoint had a non-standard process communicating over ports normally used by LDAP. This may be indicative of Active Directory domain enumeration, which may be used during attacks against the organization.
**Attacker's Goals**
An attacker is attempting to enumerate Active Directory.
**Investigative actions**
* Make sure the process is not a scanner that implements its version of the protocol, and that the scanner use is for sanctioned purposes. For example, nmap enumerating LDAP.
* Make sure the process is not a sanctioned security product that creates standalone binaries for its use. For example, Illusive Network honeypots.
* Investigate the process to see if the high-level language used to implement the application is the source of the alert. Some high-level programming languages provide their protocol implementations.
* Examine the endpoint to see if it is infected with malware. If the parent-child chain of initiating processes has been infiltrated with a malicious replacement, then that replacement could be known malware.
LDAP traffic from non-standard and uncommon process
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | ------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Discovery (TA0007) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Account Discovery (T1087) |
| Severity | Low |
**Description**
LDAP traffic is usually performed by a standard set of processes. The endpoint had a non-standard process communicating over ports normally used by LDAP. This may be indicative of Active Directory domain enumeration, which may be used during attacks against the organization.
**Attacker's Goals**
An attacker is attempting to enumerate Active Directory.
**Investigative actions**
* Make sure the process is not a scanner that implements its version of the protocol, and that the scanner use is for sanctioned purposes. For example, nmap enumerating LDAP.
* Make sure the process is not a sanctioned security product that creates standalone binaries for its use. For example, Illusive Network honeypots.
* Investigate the process to see if the high-level language used to implement the application is the source of the alert. Some high-level programming languages provide their protocol implementations.
* Examine the endpoint to see if it is infected with malware. If the parent-child chain of initiating processes has been infiltrated with a malicious replacement, then that replacement could be known malware.
LDAP traffic from non-standard process executed under an unsigned causality actor in a commonly abused directory
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | ------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Discovery (TA0007) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Account Discovery (T1087) |
| Severity | Low |
**Description**
LDAP traffic is usually performed by a standard set of processes. The endpoint had a non-standard process communicating over ports normally used by LDAP. This may be indicative of Active Directory domain enumeration, which may be used during attacks against the organization.
**Attacker's Goals**
An attacker is attempting to enumerate Active Directory.
**Investigative actions**
* Make sure the process is not a scanner that implements its version of the protocol, and that the scanner use is for sanctioned purposes. For example, nmap enumerating LDAP.
* Make sure the process is not a sanctioned security product that creates standalone binaries for its use. For example, Illusive Network honeypots.
* Investigate the process to see if the high-level language used to implement the application is the source of the alert. Some high-level programming languages provide their protocol implementations.
* Examine the endpoint to see if it is infected with malware. If the parent-child chain of initiating processes has been infiltrated with a malicious replacement, then that replacement could be known malware.
LDAP traffic from an injected thread within a non-standard process
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | ------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Discovery (TA0007) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Account Discovery (T1087) |
| Severity | Low |
**Description**
LDAP traffic is usually performed by a standard set of processes. The endpoint had a non-standard process communicating over ports normally used by LDAP. This may be indicative of Active Directory domain enumeration, which may be used during attacks against the organization.
**Attacker's Goals**
An attacker is attempting to enumerate Active Directory.
**Investigative actions**
* Make sure the process is not a scanner that implements its version of the protocol, and that the scanner use is for sanctioned purposes. For example, nmap enumerating LDAP.
* Make sure the process is not a sanctioned security product that creates standalone binaries for its use. For example, Illusive Network honeypots.
* Investigate the process to see if the high-level language used to implement the application is the source of the alert. Some high-level programming languages provide their protocol implementations.
* Examine the endpoint to see if it is infected with malware. If the parent-child chain of initiating processes has been infiltrated with a malicious replacement, then that replacement could be known malware.
---
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