> 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-brute-force-or-configuration-change-attempt-on-cytool.md).

# Possible brute force or configuration change attempt on cytool

### Synopsis

| Field                | Value                                      |
| -------------------- | ------------------------------------------ |
| Activation Period    | 14 Days                                    |
| Training Period      | 30 Days                                    |
| Test Period          | 1 Hour                                     |
| Deduplication Period | 1 Day                                      |
| Required Data        | XDR Agent                                  |
| ATT\&CK Tactic       | Credential Access (TA0006)                 |
| ATT\&CK Technique    | Brute Force: Password Guessing (T1110.001) |
| Severity             | High                                       |

### Description

An unusual amount of cytool commands were executed in a short period from a user who doesn't usually run these commands. This may indicate an attempt to guess the Administrator password.

### Attacker's Goals

The attacker may disable the agent to perform malicious activities.

### Investigative actions

Verify which user ran these commands and if it is a legitimate behavior on this host.


---

# 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 dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/analytics-alerts/alerts-by-name/possible-brute-force-or-configuration-change-attempt-on-cytool.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

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.