> 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/potential-dcsync-by-an-unusual-user.md).
# Potential DCSync by an unusual user
### Synopsis
| Field | Value |
| -------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Activation Period | 14 Days |
| Training Period | 30 Days |
| Test Period | N/A (single event) |
| Deduplication Period | 1 Day |
| Required Data | Requires one of the following data sources:
Windows Event Collector OR XDR Agent with eXtended Threat Hunting (XTH)
|
| Detection Modules | Identity Analytics |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Defense Evasion (TA0005), Credential Access (TA0006) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | OS Credential Dumping: DCSync (T1003.006), Rogue Domain Controller (T1207) |
| Severity | Informational |
### Description
Attackers may leverage the domain replication process to extract sensitive information (DCSync).
### Attacker's Goals
An attacker is trying to retrieve Active Directory data, including password hashes.
### Investigative actions
Check whether the replicating account is an account that should initiate a DC synchronization.\* Check the role of the account, and see if it should initiate a DC synchronization.\* Check if the account performing the DCSync is related to a new DC.\* Find the source host of the DCSync (correlate between event 4662 and 4624 based on the field 'Logon ID').\* Check if the account was recently added to an administrative groups/had new sensitive privileges assigned to it.\* Monitor suspicious traffic to/from the host to identify lateral movement or access to sensitive resources.
### Variations
Possible DCSync by an unusual user
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Defense Evasion (TA0005), Credential Access (TA0006) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | OS Credential Dumping: DCSync (T1003.006), Rogue Domain Controller (T1207) |
| Severity | Low |
**Description**
Attackers may leverage the domain replication process to extract sensitive information (DCSync).
**Attacker's Goals**
An attacker is trying to retrieve Active Directory data, including password hashes.
**Investigative actions**
Check whether the replicating account is an account that should initiate a DC synchronization.\* Check the role of the account, and see if it should initiate a DC synchronization.\* Check if the account performing the DCSync is related to a new DC.\* Find the source host of the DCSync (correlate between event 4662 and 4624 based on the field 'Logon ID').\* Check if the account was recently added to an administrative groups/had new sensitive privileges assigned to it.\* Monitor suspicious traffic to/from the host to identify lateral movement or access to sensitive resources.
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