> 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-activity-indicating-a-potential-abuse-of-a-cloud-native-email-service.md).

# Suspicious activity indicating a potential abuse of a cloud-native email service

### Synopsis

| Field                | Value                                                                                  |
| -------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Activation Period    | 14 Days                                                                                |
| Training Period      | 30 Days                                                                                |
| Test Period          | 3 Hours                                                                                |
| Deduplication Period | 1 Day                                                                                  |
| Required Data        | <p>Requires one of the following data sources:<br>AWS Audit Log OR Azure Audit Log</p> |
| Detection Modules    | Cloud                                                                                  |
| ATT\&CK Tactic       | Execution (TA0002)                                                                     |
| ATT\&CK Technique    | User Execution (T1204)                                                                 |
| Severity             | Low                                                                                    |

### Description

A cloud identity performed a sequence of activities which might indicate an intent to abuse the email service to send phishing or spam.

### Attacker's Goals

Adversaries may use cloud-based email services to send phishing or spread malware, abusing legitimate email domains.

### Investigative actions

* Check if the identity intended to preform these actions or look for signs that the user account is compromised (e.g. abnormal logins, unusual activity).

### Variations

<details>

<summary>Suspicious activity indicating a potential abuse of a cloud-native email service involving discovery, weaponization, and impact</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                  |
| ----------------- | ---------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Execution (TA0002)     |
| ATT\&CK Technique | User Execution (T1204) |
| Severity          | High                   |

**Description**

A cloud identity performed a sequence of activities which might indicate an intent to abuse the email service to send phishing or spam. The behavior that was observed included discovery operations, attack preparation and actual email sending. These activities might indicate an intent to abuse the email service to send phishing or spam.

**Attacker's Goals**

Adversaries may use cloud-based email services to send phishing or spread malware, abusing legitimate email domains.

**Investigative actions**

* Check if the identity intended to preform these actions or look for signs that the user account is compromised (e.g. abnormal logins, unusual activity).

</details>

<details>

<summary>Suspicious activity indicating a potential abuse of a cloud-native email service involving discovery and weaponization</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                  |
| ----------------- | ---------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Execution (TA0002)     |
| ATT\&CK Technique | User Execution (T1204) |
| Severity          | Medium                 |

**Description**

A cloud identity performed a sequence of activities which might indicate an intent to abuse the email service to send phishing or spam. The behavior that was observed included discovery operations and attack weaponization. These activities might indicate an intent to abuse the email service to send phishing or spam.

**Attacker's Goals**

Adversaries may use cloud-based email services to send phishing or spread malware, abusing legitimate email domains.

**Investigative actions**

* Check if the identity intended to preform these actions or look for signs that the user account is compromised (e.g. abnormal logins, unusual activity).

</details>


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