> 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/ntlm-password-spray.md).

# NTLM Password Spray

### Synopsis

| Field                | Value                                                                                                       |
| -------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Activation Period    | 14 Days                                                                                                     |
| Training Period      | 30 Days                                                                                                     |
| Test Period          | 10 Minutes                                                                                                  |
| Deduplication Period | 1 Day                                                                                                       |
| Required Data        | <p>Requires one of the following data sources:<br>Palo Alto Networks Firewall traffic Logs OR XDR Agent</p> |
| Detection Modules    | Identity Analytics                                                                                          |
| ATT\&CK Tactic       | Credential Access (TA0006)                                                                                  |
| ATT\&CK Technique    | Brute Force: Password Spraying (T1110.003)                                                                  |
| Severity             | Informational                                                                                               |

### Description

A single host tried to perform an unusual amount of login attempts using NTLM in a short period of time. This may be indicative of a NTLM password spray attack.

### Attacker's Goals

The attacker may attempt to guess user credential by password spray attack over multiple machines.

### Investigative actions

Verify any successful authentication made by one of the user accounts referenced by the alert, as these may indicate the attacker managed to guess the credentials.

### Variations

<details>

<summary>NTLM password spray on a sensitive entity</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                                      |
| ----------------- | ------------------------------------------ |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Credential Access (TA0006)                 |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Brute Force: Password Spraying (T1110.003) |
| Severity          | Low                                        |

**Description**

A single host tried to perform an unusual amount of login attempts using NTLM in a short period of time on a sensitive entity. This may be indicative of a NTLM password spray attack.

**Attacker's Goals**

The attacker may attempt to guess user credential by password spray attack over multiple machines.

**Investigative actions**

Verify any successful authentication made by one of the user accounts referenced by the alert, as these may indicate the attacker managed to guess the credentials.

</details>


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