> 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-ldap-queries-followed-by-shared-folder-access.md).

# Suspicious LDAP queries followed by shared folder access

### 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) |
| ATT\&CK Tactic       | Credential Access (TA0006)                   |
| ATT\&CK Technique    | Steal or Forge Kerberos Tickets (T1558)      |
| Severity             | Low                                          |

### Description

The user executed suspicious LDAP queries shortly before accessing a shared folder. This behavior may be indicative of Rubeus activity involving Kerberos ticket forgery, such as Golden Ticket or Silver Ticket attacks.

### Attacker's Goals

An attacker may use LDAP based account discovery and a forged Kerberos ticket (e.g. Silver Ticket) to access shared resources and collect sensitive data.

### Investigative actions

* Review the LDAP query content to determine if it targets privileged groups (e.g., Domain Admins) or sensitive objects.
* Correlate the shared folder path with sensitive file shares (e.g., SYSVOL, NETLOGON, backup shares).
* Check if the IP address {ip\_address} is associated with known administrative systems or unusual user behavior.
* Determine if Rubeus or other Kerberos abuse tools were used based on timing, patterns, or command line artifacts.
* Inspect for potential Silver Ticket or Golden Ticket activity by reviewing Kerberos ticket logs and security events.
* Verify if the user account had prior suspicious authentication events or privilege escalation.


---

# 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 dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/analytics-alerts/alerts-by-name/suspicious-ldap-queries-followed-by-shared-folder-access.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

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.