> 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/privileged-certificate-request-via-certificate-template.md).

# Privileged certificate request via certificate template

### Synopsis

| Field                | Value                                                                                                                         |
| -------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Activation Period    | 14 Days                                                                                                                       |
| Training Period      | 30 Days                                                                                                                       |
| Test Period          | N/A (single event)                                                                                                            |
| Deduplication Period | 1 Day                                                                                                                         |
| Required Data        | <p>Requires one of the following data sources:<br>Windows Event Collector OR XDR Agent with eXtended Threat Hunting (XTH)</p> |
| Detection Modules    | Identity Analytics                                                                                                            |
| Detector Tags        | Active Directory Certificate Services Analytics                                                                               |
| ATT\&CK Tactic       | Privilege Escalation (TA0004)                                                                                                 |
| ATT\&CK Technique    | Valid Accounts: Domain Accounts (T1078.002)                                                                                   |
| Severity             | Informational                                                                                                                 |

### Description

A privileged certificate was requested via certificate template.

### Attacker's Goals

An attacker may attempt to exploit the Active Directory Certificate Services to escalate privileges to a domain controller or privileged account.

### Investigative actions

* Check if this is a legitimate certificate request.
* Check if the certificate issued was used to request a Kerberos ticket.
* Investigate actions done with the issued certificate and its owner.
* Check for possible NTLM relay alerts.

### Variations

<details>

<summary>Suspicious privileged certificate request denied via certificate template</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                                       |
| ----------------- | ------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Privilege Escalation (TA0004)               |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Valid Accounts: Domain Accounts (T1078.002) |
| Severity          | Medium                                      |

**Description**

A suspicious privileged certificate request was denied via certificate template.

**Attacker's Goals**

An attacker may attempt to exploit the Active Directory Certificate Services to escalate privileges to a domain controller or privileged account.

**Investigative actions**

* Check if this is a legitimate certificate request.
* Check if the certificate issued was used to request a Kerberos ticket.
* Investigate actions done with the issued certificate and its owner.
* Check for possible NTLM relay alerts.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Suspicious privileged certificate request via certificate template</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                                       |
| ----------------- | ------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Privilege Escalation (TA0004)               |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Valid Accounts: Domain Accounts (T1078.002) |
| Severity          | Low                                         |

**Description**

A suspicious privileged certificate was requested via certificate template.

**Attacker's Goals**

An attacker may attempt to exploit the Active Directory Certificate Services to escalate privileges to a domain controller or privileged account.

**Investigative actions**

* Check if this is a legitimate certificate request.
* Check if the certificate issued was used to request a Kerberos ticket.
* Investigate actions done with the issued certificate and its owner.
* Check for possible NTLM relay alerts.

</details>


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