> 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/rare-appid-usage-to-a-rare-destination.md).

# Rare AppID usage to a rare destination

### Synopsis

| Field                | Value                                                                                                                                |
| -------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Activation Period    | 14 Days                                                                                                                              |
| Training Period      | 30 Days                                                                                                                              |
| Test Period          | N/A (single event)                                                                                                                   |
| Deduplication Period | 14 Days                                                                                                                              |
| Required Data        | <p>Requires one of the following data sources:<br>Palo Alto Networks Firewall traffic Logs OR XDR Agent OR Third-Party Firewalls</p> |
| ATT\&CK Tactic       | Command and Control (TA0011)                                                                                                         |
| ATT\&CK Technique    | Application Layer Protocol (T1071), Non-Standard Port (T1571)                                                                        |
| Severity             | Informational                                                                                                                        |

### Description

Rare AppID with port usage to rare destination.

### Attacker's Goals

Attackers might use well-known ports with uncommon applications to avoid being detected by a non-application aware firewall or to bypass firewall rules based only on ports.

### Investigative actions

Investigate the endpoints participating in the session.

### Variations

<details>

<summary>Rare AppID usage to a rare destination using an unsigned process</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                                                         |
| ----------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Command and Control (TA0011)                                  |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Application Layer Protocol (T1071), Non-Standard Port (T1571) |
| Severity          | Low                                                           |

**Description**

Rare AppID with port usage to rare destination.

**Attacker's Goals**

Attackers might use well-known ports with uncommon applications to avoid being detected by a non-application aware firewall or to bypass firewall rules based only on ports.

**Investigative actions**

Investigate the endpoints participating in the session.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Rare AppID usage to a rare destination from an internet-facing server</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                                                         |
| ----------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Command and Control (TA0011)                                  |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Application Layer Protocol (T1071), Non-Standard Port (T1571) |
| Severity          | Low                                                           |

**Description**

Rare AppID with port usage to rare destination.

**Attacker's Goals**

Attackers might use well-known ports with uncommon applications to avoid being detected by a non-application aware firewall or to bypass firewall rules based only on ports.

**Investigative actions**

Investigate the endpoints participating in the session.

</details>


---

# 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/rare-appid-usage-to-a-rare-destination.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.
