> 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/psexec-was-executed-with-a-suspicious-command-line.md).
# PsExec was executed with a suspicious command line
### 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 |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Execution (TA0002), Privilege Escalation (TA0004) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | System Services: Service Execution (T1569.002), Valid Accounts (T1078) |
| Severity | Informational |
### Description
PsExec.exe was executed.
### Attacker's Goals
An adversary may attempt to use PsExec to gain execution capabilities, run remote commands or perform privilege escalation.
### Investigative actions
* Check if any other suspicious activities happened under the same causality.
* Confirm the PsExec.exe command is benign.
### Variations
PsExec was executed with a suspicious command line by a LOLBIN
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Execution (TA0002), Privilege Escalation (TA0004) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | System Services: Service Execution (T1569.002), Valid Accounts (T1078) |
| Severity | Low |
**Description**
PsExec.exe was executed with NT/System privilege level by a LOLBIN.
**Attacker's Goals**
An adversary may attempt to use PsExec to gain execution capabilities, run remote commands or perform privilege escalation.
**Investigative actions**
* Check if any other suspicious activities happened under the same causality.
* Confirm the PsExec.exe command is benign.
PsExec was executed with a suspicious command line by an unsigned actor
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Execution (TA0002), Privilege Escalation (TA0004) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | System Services: Service Execution (T1569.002), Valid Accounts (T1078) |
| Severity | Medium |
**Description**
PsExec.exe was executed with NT/System privilege level by an unsigned actor.
**Attacker's Goals**
An adversary may attempt to use PsExec to gain execution capabilities, run remote commands or perform privilege escalation.
**Investigative actions**
* Check if any other suspicious activities happened under the same causality.
* Confirm the PsExec.exe command is benign.
PsExec was executed with a suspicious command line
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Execution (TA0002), Privilege Escalation (TA0004) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | System Services: Service Execution (T1569.002), Valid Accounts (T1078) |
| Severity | Low |
**Description**
PsExec.exe was executed with NT/System privilege level.
**Attacker's Goals**
An adversary may attempt to use PsExec to gain execution capabilities, run remote commands or perform privilege escalation.
**Investigative actions**
* Check if any other suspicious activities happened under the same causality.
* Confirm the PsExec.exe command is benign.
PsExec was executed with a suspicious command line
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Execution (TA0002), Privilege Escalation (TA0004) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | System Services: Service Execution (T1569.002), Valid Accounts (T1078) |
| Severity | Low |
**Description**
PsExec.exe was executed with plain-text credentials.
**Attacker's Goals**
An adversary may attempt to use PsExec to gain execution capabilities, run remote commands or perform privilege escalation.
**Investigative actions**
* Check if any other suspicious activities happened under the same causality.
* Confirm the PsExec.exe command is benign.
---
# 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/psexec-was-executed-with-a-suspicious-command-line.md?ask=&goal=
```
`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.