> 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/possible-authentication-coercion.md).

# Possible authentication coercion

### 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 with eXtended Threat Hunting (XTH)                                                             |
| Detection Modules    | Identity Analytics                                                                                       |
| ATT\&CK Tactic       | Credential Access (TA0006)                                                                               |
| ATT\&CK Technique    | Forced Authentication (T1187), Adversary-in-the-Middle: LLMNR/NBT-NS Poisoning and SMB Relay (T1557.001) |
| Severity             | Informational                                                                                            |

### Description

An unusual Remote Procedure Call (RPC) was made to potentially cause authentication coercion.

### Attacker's Goals

* An attacker can abuse Remote Procedure Calls to coerce authentication from servers.

### Investigative actions

* Check for a suspicious process on the initiator.
* Check if the source host is a vulnerability scanner.
* Check for unusual connections from {actor\_remote\_ip} to other servers in the network.
* Check for logged-in users to {actor\_remote\_ip} and investigate their actions.
* Check for indicators of compromise on {actor\_remote\_ip}.

### Variations

<details>

<summary>Possible authentication coercion from an unconstrained delegation server to a sensitive server</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                                                                                                    |
| ----------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Credential Access (TA0006)                                                                               |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Forced Authentication (T1187), Adversary-in-the-Middle: LLMNR/NBT-NS Poisoning and SMB Relay (T1557.001) |
| Severity          | Medium                                                                                                   |

**Description**

An unusual Remote Procedure Call (RPC) was made towards a sensitive server, to potentially cause authentication coercion.

**Attacker's Goals**

* An attacker can abuse Remote Procedure Calls to coerce authentication from servers.

**Investigative actions**

* Check for a suspicious process on the initiator.
* Check if the source host is a vulnerability scanner.
* Check for unusual connections from {actor\_remote\_ip} to other servers in the network.
* Check for logged-in users to {actor\_remote\_ip} and investigate their actions.
* Check for indicators of compromise on {actor\_remote\_ip}.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Possible authentication coercion to a sensitive server</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                                                                                                    |
| ----------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Credential Access (TA0006)                                                                               |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Forced Authentication (T1187), Adversary-in-the-Middle: LLMNR/NBT-NS Poisoning and SMB Relay (T1557.001) |
| Severity          | Low                                                                                                      |

**Description**

An unusual Remote Procedure Call (RPC) was made towards a sensitive server, to potentially cause authentication coercion.

**Attacker's Goals**

* An attacker can abuse Remote Procedure Calls to coerce authentication from servers.

**Investigative actions**

* Check for a suspicious process on the initiator.
* Check if the source host is a vulnerability scanner.
* Check for unusual connections from {actor\_remote\_ip} to other servers in the network.
* Check for logged-in users to {actor\_remote\_ip} and investigate their actions.
* Check for indicators of compromise on {actor\_remote\_ip}.

</details>


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