> 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-process-spawns-a-commonly-abused-process.md).

# Microsoft Office process spawns a commonly abused 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       | Execution (TA0002), Initial Access (TA0001)                            |
| ATT\&CK Technique    | User Execution (T1204), Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment (T1566.001) |
| Severity             | Low                                                                    |

### Description

Microsoft Office process spawns a commonly abused process with an uncommon command.

### Attacker's Goals

An attacker attempts to gain code execution via a phishing document.

### Investigative actions

* Check the source of the document (received by mail or loaded locally).
* Investigate the child processes for malicious activity and network connections to an external host.


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