> 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-shadow-file.md).
# Suspicious access to shadow file
### Synopsis
| Field | Value |
| -------------------- | -------------------------------------------- |
| Activation Period | 14 Days |
| Training Period | 30 Days |
| Test Period | N/A (single event) |
| Deduplication Period | 7 Days |
| Required Data | XDR Agent with eXtended Threat Hunting (XTH) |
| Detector Tags | Kubernetes - AGENT, Containers |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Credential Access (TA0006) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | OS Credential Dumping (T1003) |
| Severity | Informational |
### Description
An unpopular process accessed the shadow file.
### Attacker's Goals
Attackers may attempt to dump the contents of these sensitive files to perform offline password cracking.
### Investigative actions
* Check the process for more suspicious activity.
* Check whether this was a legitimate action.
### Variations
Suspicious access to shadow file in a Kubernetes Pod using a known text editor
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | ----------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Credential Access (TA0006) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | OS Credential Dumping (T1003) |
| Severity | Medium |
**Description**
An unpopular process accessed the shadow file in a Kubernetes Pod.
**Attacker's Goals**
Attackers may attempt to dump the contents of these sensitive files to perform offline password cracking.
**Investigative actions**
* Check the process for more suspicious activity.
* Check whether this was a legitimate action.
Suspicious access to shadow file using a known text editor
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | ----------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Credential Access (TA0006) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | OS Credential Dumping (T1003) |
| Severity | Medium |
**Description**
An unpopular process accessed the shadow file.
**Attacker's Goals**
Attackers may attempt to dump the contents of these sensitive files to perform offline password cracking.
**Investigative actions**
* Check the process for more suspicious activity.
* Check whether this was a legitimate action.
Suspicious access to shadow file in a Kubernetes Pod
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | ----------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Credential Access (TA0006) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | OS Credential Dumping (T1003) |
| Severity | Low |
**Description**
An unpopular process accessed the shadow file.
**Attacker's Goals**
Attackers may attempt to dump the contents of these sensitive files to perform offline password cracking.
**Investigative actions**
* Check the process for more suspicious activity.
* Check whether this was a legitimate action.
Suspicious access to shadow file
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | ----------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Credential Access (TA0006) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | OS Credential Dumping (T1003) |
| Severity | Low |
**Description**
An unpopular process accessed the shadow file.
**Attacker's Goals**
Attackers may attempt to dump the contents of these sensitive files to perform offline password cracking.
**Investigative actions**
* Check the process for more suspicious activity.
* Check whether this was a legitimate action.
---
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