> 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-remote-service-svcctl-rpc-activity.md).
# Rare Remote Service (SVCCTL) RPC activity
### 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:
Palo Alto Networks Firewall EAL Logs OR XDR Agent with eXtended Threat Hunting (XTH)
|
| Detector Tags | NDR Lateral Movement Analytics |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Lateral Movement (TA0008) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Remote Services (T1021) |
| Severity | Informational |
### Description
The endpoint performed abnormal RPC activity via Service Control Manager interface to a remote host.
### Attacker's Goals
* Attackers may attempt to gain persistence or move laterally over the network by executing code on remote hosts using services.
* The service control manager RPC interface is used to create and start services on a local or a remote host.
### Investigative actions
* Review the action of services.exe on the remote host where possible.
* Correlate the RPC call from the source host and understand which software initiated it.\* Verify that this isn't IT activity.
### Variations
Rare remote service creation and initiation via Remote Service (SVCCTL) RPC interface
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | ------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Lateral Movement (TA0008) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Remote Services (T1021) |
| Severity | Medium |
**Description**
The endpoint performed abnormal service creation and initiation via Remote Service (SVCCTL) RPC interface to a remote host.
**Attacker's Goals**
* Attackers may attempt to gain persistence or move laterally over the network by executing code on remote hosts using services.
* The service control manager RPC interface is used to create and start services on a local or a remote host.
**Investigative actions**
* Review the action of services.exe on the remote host where possible.
* Correlate the RPC call from the source host and understand which software initiated it.\* Verify that this isn't IT activity.
Rare remote service change or creation via Remote Service (SVCCTL) RPC interface
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | ------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Lateral Movement (TA0008) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Remote Services (T1021) |
| Severity | Medium |
**Description**
The endpoint performed abnormal service creation via Remote Service (SVCCTL) RPC interface to a remote host.
**Attacker's Goals**
* Attackers may attempt to gain persistence or move laterally over the network by executing code on remote hosts using services.
* The service control manager RPC interface is used to create and start services on a local or a remote host.
**Investigative actions**
* Review the action of services.exe on the remote host where possible.
* Correlate the RPC call from the source host and understand which software initiated it.\* Verify that this isn't IT activity.
Rare Remote Service (SVCCTL) RPC activity
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | ------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Lateral Movement (TA0008) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Remote Services (T1021) |
| Severity | Low |
**Description**
The endpoint performed abnormal RPC activity via Service Control Manager interface to a remote host.
**Attacker's Goals**
* Attackers may attempt to gain persistence or move laterally over the network by executing code on remote hosts using services.
* The service control manager RPC interface is used to create and start services on a local or a remote host.
**Investigative actions**
* Review the action of services.exe on the remote host where possible.
* Correlate the RPC call from the source host and understand which software initiated it.\* Verify that this isn't IT activity.
---
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