> 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/successful-universal-authentication-with-suspicious-features.md).

# Successful universal authentication with suspicious features

### Synopsis

| Field                | Value                   |
| -------------------- | ----------------------- |
| Activation Period    | 14 Days                 |
| Training Period      | 30 Days                 |
| Test Period          | N/A (single event)      |
| Deduplication Period | 1 Day                   |
| Detection Modules    | Identity Analytics      |
| ATT\&CK Tactic       | Initial Access (TA0001) |
| ATT\&CK Technique    | Valid Accounts (T1078)  |
| Severity             | Informational           |

### Description

A universal authentication was flagged as suspicious based on anomalous features.

### Attacker's Goals

Use an account that was possibly compromised to gain access to the network, while potentially using an anonymizing service to obfuscate their origin.

### Investigative actions

* Investigate the suspicious authentication.
* Verify if the ASN is an approved ASN to authenticate from.
* Follow further actions done by the user.
* If the IP is associated with a tunnel operator, check whether it is an approved VPN.

### Variations

<details>

<summary>Successful universal authentication sign-in from a TOR exit node</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                   |
| ----------------- | ----------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Initial Access (TA0001) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Valid Accounts (T1078)  |
| Severity          | Medium                  |

**Description**

A successful sign-in from a TOR exit node in universal authentication.

**Attacker's Goals**

Use an account that was possibly compromised to gain access to the network, while potentially using an anonymizing service to obfuscate their origin.

**Investigative actions**

* Investigate the suspicious authentication.
* Verify if the ASN is an approved ASN to authenticate from.
* Follow further actions done by the user.
* If the IP is associated with a tunnel operator, check whether it is an approved VPN.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Successful universal authentication from a suspicious tunnel operator</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                   |
| ----------------- | ----------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Initial Access (TA0001) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Valid Accounts (T1078)  |
| Severity          | Low                     |

**Description**

A successful universal authentication was made through a suspicious or rarely seen tunnel operator.

**Attacker's Goals**

Use an account that was possibly compromised to gain access to the network, while potentially using an anonymizing service to obfuscate their origin.

**Investigative actions**

* Investigate the suspicious authentication.
* Verify if the ASN is an approved ASN to authenticate from.
* Follow further actions done by the user.
* If the IP is associated with a tunnel operator, check whether it is an approved VPN.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Suspicious successful universal authentication from ASN</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                   |
| ----------------- | ----------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Initial Access (TA0001) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Valid Accounts (T1078)  |
| Severity          | Informational           |

**Description**

A successful universal authentication was made from a suspicious or previously unseen ASN.

**Attacker's Goals**

Use an account that was possibly compromised to gain access to the network, while potentially using an anonymizing service to obfuscate their origin.

**Investigative actions**

* Investigate the suspicious authentication.
* Verify if the ASN is an approved ASN to authenticate from.
* Follow further actions done by the user.
* If the IP is associated with a tunnel operator, check whether it is an approved VPN.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Successful universal authentication from a new country in organization</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                   |
| ----------------- | ----------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Initial Access (TA0001) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Valid Accounts (T1078)  |
| Severity          | Informational           |

**Description**

A user authenticated in universal authentication from an unusual country that no one from this organization has connected from before in universal authentication. This may indicate the account was compromised.

**Attacker's Goals**

Use an account that was possibly compromised to gain access to the network, while potentially using an anonymizing service to obfuscate their origin.

**Investigative actions**

* Investigate the suspicious authentication.
* Verify if the ASN is an approved ASN to authenticate from.
* Follow further actions done by the user.
* If the IP is associated with a tunnel operator, check whether it is an approved VPN.

</details>


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