> 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/suspicious-access-to-cloud-credential-files.md).
# Suspicious access to cloud credential files
### Synopsis
| Field | Value |
| -------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------- |
| Activation Period | 14 Days |
| Training Period | 30 Days |
| Test Period | 10 Minutes |
| Deduplication Period | 1 Day |
| Required Data | XDR Agent with eXtended Threat Hunting (XTH) |
| Detection Modules | Cloud |
| Detector Tags | Cloud Lateral Movement Analytics |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Credential Access (TA0006) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Unsecured Credentials: Credentials In Files (T1552.001) |
| Severity | Informational |
### Description
A process accessed multiple cloud credential files, which may indicate a credential theft activity.
### Attacker's Goals
Gain initial access to the cloud environment.
### Investigative actions
* Verify if the executing process is doing more suspicious activities.
* Verify if the exposed credential files were used to access to the cloud environment.
* Verify which operations were used against the cloud environment with the exposed credentials.
### Variations
Suspicious access to Amazon SSM Hybrid Activation credential files
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | ------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Credential Access (TA0006) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Unsecured Credentials: Credentials In Files (T1552.001) |
| Severity | Medium |
**Description**
A process accessed multiple cloud credential files, which may indicate a credential theft activity.
**Attacker's Goals**
Gain initial access to the cloud environment.
**Investigative actions**
* Verify if the executing process is doing more suspicious activities.
* Verify if the exposed credential files were used to access to the cloud environment.
* Verify which operations were used against the cloud environment with the exposed credentials.
Suspicious access to cloud credential files of various cloud providers within a cloud instance
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | ------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Credential Access (TA0006) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Unsecured Credentials: Credentials In Files (T1552.001) |
| Severity | Low |
**Description**
A process accessed multiple cloud credential files, which may indicate a credential theft activity.
**Attacker's Goals**
Gain initial access to the cloud environment.
**Investigative actions**
* Verify if the executing process is doing more suspicious activities.
* Verify if the exposed credential files were used to access to the cloud environment.
* Verify which operations were used against the cloud environment with the exposed credentials.
Suspicious access to cloud credential files within a cloud instance
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | ------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Credential Access (TA0006) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Unsecured Credentials: Credentials In Files (T1552.001) |
| Severity | Informational |
**Description**
A process accessed multiple cloud credential files, which may indicate a credential theft activity.
**Attacker's Goals**
Gain initial access to the cloud environment.
**Investigative actions**
* Verify if the executing process is doing more suspicious activities.
* Verify if the exposed credential files were used to access to the cloud environment.
* Verify which operations were used against the cloud environment with the exposed credentials.
Suspicious access to Windows cloud credential files of various cloud providers
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | ------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Credential Access (TA0006) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Unsecured Credentials: Credentials In Files (T1552.001) |
| Severity | Medium |
**Description**
A process accessed multiple cloud credential files, which may indicate a credential theft activity.
**Attacker's Goals**
Gain initial access to the cloud environment.
**Investigative actions**
* Verify if the executing process is doing more suspicious activities.
* Verify if the exposed credential files were used to access to the cloud environment.
* Verify which operations were used against the cloud environment with the exposed credentials.
Suspicious access to Windows cloud credential files by an unusual process
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | ------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Credential Access (TA0006) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Unsecured Credentials: Credentials In Files (T1552.001) |
| Severity | Low |
**Description**
A process accessed multiple cloud credential files, which may indicate a credential theft activity.
**Attacker's Goals**
Gain initial access to the cloud environment.
**Investigative actions**
* Verify if the executing process is doing more suspicious activities.
* Verify if the exposed credential files were used to access to the cloud environment.
* Verify which operations were used against the cloud environment with the exposed credentials.
Suspicious access to cloud credential files of various cloud providers
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | ------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Credential Access (TA0006) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Unsecured Credentials: Credentials In Files (T1552.001) |
| Severity | Medium |
**Description**
A process accessed multiple cloud credential files, which may indicate a credential theft activity.
**Attacker's Goals**
Gain initial access to the cloud environment.
**Investigative actions**
* Verify if the executing process is doing more suspicious activities.
* Verify if the exposed credential files were used to access to the cloud environment.
* Verify which operations were used against the cloud environment with the exposed credentials.
Suspicious access to cloud credential files by an unusual process
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | ------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Credential Access (TA0006) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Unsecured Credentials: Credentials In Files (T1552.001) |
| Severity | Low |
**Description**
A process accessed multiple cloud credential files, which may indicate a credential theft activity.
**Attacker's Goals**
Gain initial access to the cloud environment.
**Investigative actions**
* Verify if the executing process is doing more suspicious activities.
* Verify if the exposed credential files were used to access to the cloud environment.
* Verify which operations were used against the cloud environment with the exposed credentials.
---
# 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 by asking a question.
Perform an HTTP GET request on the following URL with the `ask` and `goal` query parameters:
```
GET https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/analytics-alerts/alerts-by-name/suspicious-access-to-cloud-credential-files.md?ask=&goal=
```
`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is what the user is ultimately trying to achieve, the reason they need the answer. Sharing it helps GitBook give you a better, more relevant answer. A goal is most helpful when it describes the outcome the user wants rather than restating the question. For example, with `ask=how do I create an API token`, a goal like `automate deployments from our CI pipeline` lets GitBook tailor the answer to that use case.
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.