> 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-path-traversal-via-http-request.md).
# Possible path traversal via HTTP request
### Synopsis
| Field | Value |
| -------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Activation Period | 14 Days |
| Training Period | 30 Days |
| Test Period | N/A (single event) |
| Deduplication Period | 2 Days |
| Required Data | Requires one of the following data sources:
Palo Alto Networks Firewall EAL Logs OR XDR Agent
|
| Detector Tags | Webshell Analytics |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Discovery (TA0007) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | File and Directory Discovery (T1083) |
| Severity | Low |
### Description
The endpoint received a suspicious URI via an HTTP request that resembles a path traversal attempt.
### Attacker's Goals
* Attackers may exploit server components or misconfigurations to access arbitrary sensitive files on the web server.
### Investigative actions
* Inspect the legitimacy of the URI path.
* Ensure that the rare URI is not a legitimate result of routine development actions on the web server.
### Variations
Possible sensitive path traversal via HTTP request
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | ------------------------------------ |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Discovery (TA0007) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | File and Directory Discovery (T1083) |
| Severity | Medium |
**Description**
The endpoint received a suspicious URI via an HTTP request that resembles a path traversal attempt.
**Attacker's Goals**
* Attackers may exploit server components or misconfigurations to access arbitrary sensitive files on the web server.
**Investigative actions**
* Inspect the legitimacy of the URI path.
* Ensure that the rare URI is not a legitimate result of routine development actions on the web server.
Possible path traversal via HTTP request from a TOR exit node
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | ------------------------------------ |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Discovery (TA0007) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | File and Directory Discovery (T1083) |
| Severity | Medium |
**Description**
The endpoint received a suspicious URI via an HTTP request that resembles a path traversal attempt.
**Attacker's Goals**
* Attackers may exploit server components or misconfigurations to access arbitrary sensitive files on the web server.
**Investigative actions**
* Inspect the legitimacy of the URI path.
* Ensure that the rare URI is not a legitimate result of routine development actions on the web server.
Possible credential path traversal via HTTP request
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | ------------------------------------ |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Discovery (TA0007) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | File and Directory Discovery (T1083) |
| Severity | Medium |
**Description**
The endpoint received a suspicious URI via an HTTP request that resembles a path traversal attempt.
**Attacker's Goals**
* Attackers may exploit server components or misconfigurations to access arbitrary sensitive files on the web server.
**Investigative actions**
* Inspect the legitimacy of the URI path.
* Ensure that the rare URI is not a legitimate result of routine development actions on the web server.
---
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