> 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/microsoft-office-injects-code-into-a-process.md).
# Microsoft Office injects code into a 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 |
| Detector Tags | Injection Analytics |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Initial Access (TA0001), Defense Evasion (TA0005) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment (T1566.001), Process Injection (T1055) |
| Severity | Low |
### Description
An attacker may inject payloads into processes via Microsoft Office. While legitimate in certain cases, code injection can also be used in malicious ways.
### Attacker's Goals
* An attacker attempts to gain code execution via a phishing document.
* Attackers may inject code into processes to evade process-based defenses, as well as possibly elevate privileges.
### Investigative actions
* Check the source of the document (received by mail or loaded locally).
* Check whether the injecting process is benign and if this was a desired behavior as part of its normal execution flow.
### Variations
Unsigned Microsoft Office injects code into a process
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Initial Access (TA0001), Defense Evasion (TA0005) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment (T1566.001), Process Injection (T1055), Masquerading: Match Legitimate Resource Name or Location (T1036.005) |
| Severity | High |
**Description**
An attacker may inject payloads into processes via Microsoft Office. While legitimate in certain cases, code injection can also be used in malicious ways.
**Attacker's Goals**
* An attacker attempts to gain code execution via a phishing document.
* Attackers may inject code into processes to evade process-based defenses, as well as possibly elevate privileges.
**Investigative actions**
* Check the source of the document (received by mail or loaded locally).
* Check whether the injecting process is benign and if this was a desired behavior as part of its normal execution flow.
Microsoft Office injects code into a process to a non-standard PE section
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Initial Access (TA0001), Defense Evasion (TA0005) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment (T1566.001), Process Injection (T1055) |
| Severity | High |
**Description**
An attacker may inject payloads into processes via Microsoft Office. While legitimate in certain cases, code injection can also be used in malicious ways.
**Attacker's Goals**
* An attacker attempts to gain code execution via a phishing document.
* Attackers may inject code into processes to evade process-based defenses, as well as possibly elevate privileges.
**Investigative actions**
* Check the source of the document (received by mail or loaded locally).
* Check whether the injecting process is benign and if this was a desired behavior as part of its normal execution flow.
Microsoft Office injects code into a process to an undeclared memory page
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Initial Access (TA0001), Defense Evasion (TA0005) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment (T1566.001), Process Injection (T1055) |
| Severity | Medium |
**Description**
An attacker may inject payloads into processes via Microsoft Office. While legitimate in certain cases, code injection can also be used in malicious ways.
**Attacker's Goals**
* An attacker attempts to gain code execution via a phishing document.
* Attackers may inject code into processes to evade process-based defenses, as well as possibly elevate privileges.
**Investigative actions**
* Check the source of the document (received by mail or loaded locally).
* Check whether the injecting process is benign and if this was a desired behavior as part of its normal execution flow.
Microsoft Office injects code into a process from an unsigned process
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Initial Access (TA0001), Defense Evasion (TA0005) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment (T1566.001), Process Injection (T1055) |
| Severity | Medium |
**Description**
An attacker may inject payloads into processes via Microsoft Office. While legitimate in certain cases, code injection can also be used in malicious ways.
**Attacker's Goals**
* An attacker attempts to gain code execution via a phishing document.
* Attackers may inject code into processes to evade process-based defenses, as well as possibly elevate privileges.
**Investigative actions**
* Check the source of the document (received by mail or loaded locally).
* Check whether the injecting process is benign and if this was a desired behavior as part of its normal execution flow.
Microsoft Office macro-enabled spreadsheet (XLSM) injects code into a process
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Initial Access (TA0001), Defense Evasion (TA0005) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment (T1566.001), Process Injection (T1055) |
| Severity | Medium |
**Description**
An attacker may inject payloads into processes via Microsoft Office. While legitimate in certain cases, code injection can also be used in malicious ways.
**Attacker's Goals**
* An attacker attempts to gain code execution via a phishing document.
* Attackers may inject code into processes to evade process-based defenses, as well as possibly elevate privileges.
**Investigative actions**
* Check the source of the document (received by mail or loaded locally).
* Check whether the injecting process is benign and if this was a desired behavior as part of its normal execution flow.
---
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