> 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/modification-of-pam.md).

# Modification of PAM

### 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        | Persistence Analytics, Evasion Analytics, Credentials Grabbing Analytics, Authentication Process Modification Analytics, Kubernetes - AGENT, Containers |
| ATT\&CK Tactic       | Persistence (TA0003), Credential Access (TA0006), Defense Impairment (TA0112)                                                                           |
| ATT\&CK Technique    | Modify Authentication Process: Pluggable Authentication Modules (T1556.003)                                                                             |
| Severity             | High                                                                                                                                                    |

### Description

Modification of PAM configuration files.

### Attacker's Goals

Establish persistence, capture plaintext credentials, or bypass authentication mechanisms by altering PAM configurations.

### Investigative actions

* Review the full command line of the process modifying the PAM configuration file.
* Inspect the modified file for directives frequently used for backdoors (e.g., pam\_permit.so, pam\_exec.so expose\_authtok, pam\_tty\_audit.so).
* Check for legitimate configuration management agents deploying customized authentication policies.
* Verify whether the modification is part of legitimate system administration, provisioning, or authorized security testing.

### Variations

<details>

<summary>Modification of PAM from a Kubernetes pod</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                                                                         |
| ----------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Persistence (TA0003), Credential Access (TA0006), Defense Impairment (TA0112) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Modify Authentication Process: Pluggable Authentication Modules (T1556.003)   |
| Severity          | High                                                                          |

**Description**

Modification of PAM configuration files.

**Attacker's Goals**

Establish persistence, capture plaintext credentials, or bypass authentication mechanisms by altering PAM configurations.

**Investigative actions**

* Review the full command line of the process modifying the PAM configuration file.
* Inspect the modified file for directives frequently used for backdoors (e.g., pam\_permit.so, pam\_exec.so expose\_authtok, pam\_tty\_audit.so).
* Check for legitimate configuration management agents deploying customized authentication policies.
* Verify whether the modification is part of legitimate system administration, provisioning, or authorized security testing.

</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/modification-of-pam.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.