> 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-network-connection-originating-from-aws-ssm-agent.md).

# Suspicious Network Connection Originating from AWS SSM Agent

### Synopsis

| Field                | Value                                                                    |
| -------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Activation Period    | 14 Days                                                                  |
| Training Period      | 30 Days                                                                  |
| Test Period          | N/A (single event)                                                       |
| Deduplication Period | 1 Day                                                                    |
| Required Data        | XDR Agent                                                                |
| Detection Modules    | Cloud                                                                    |
| Detector Tags        | SSM Remote Management Analytics                                          |
| ATT\&CK Tactic       | Command and Control (TA0011), Exfiltration (TA0010)                      |
| ATT\&CK Technique    | Application Layer Protocol (T1071), Exfiltration Over C2 Channel (T1041) |
| Severity             | Medium                                                                   |

### Description

A process spawned by the AWS SSM agent connected to an anonymous tunnel or TOR IP outside AWS. This may indicate the SSM agent was abused for command and control or data exfiltration.

### Attacker's Goals

Abuse the Amazon SSM agent to establish a covert command and control channel or exfiltrate data outside the cloud environment.

### Investigative actions

* Verify the process spawned by SSM agent and validate its legitimacy.
* Inspect the destination IP and ASN in threat intelligence feeds.
* Review recent SSM document executions on the affected host.


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