> 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-ntlm-authentication-with-machine-account.md).
# Suspicious NTLM authentication with machine account
### Synopsis
| Field | Value |
| -------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Activation Period | 14 Days |
| Training Period | 30 Days |
| Test Period | N/A (single event) |
| Deduplication Period | 1 Day |
| Required Data | Requires one of the following data sources:
Palo Alto Networks Firewall EAL Logs OR XDR Agent
|
| Detection Modules | Identity Analytics |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Credential Access (TA0006) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Forced Authentication (T1187) |
| Severity | Informational |
### Description
A suspicious NTLM authentication attempt was made by a machine account.
### Attacker's Goals
An attacker aims to exploit authentication protocols to steal credentials and enable lateral movement within the network.
### Investigative actions
* Identify the source and target users and hosts involved in the NTLM authentication attempt.
* Monitor the users associated with the authentication for any further suspicious activities or unauthorized actions.
* Look for earlier connections to the source which may cause it to initiate the session.
* Investigate the root cause of the behavior and determine if it can be mitigated or blocked in the future.
### Variations
Rare and sensitive NTLM authentication with machine account
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | ----------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Credential Access (TA0006) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Forced Authentication (T1187) |
| Severity | Low |
**Description**
A rare and sensitive NTLM authentication attempt was made by a machine account.
**Attacker's Goals**
An attacker aims to exploit authentication protocols to steal credentials and enable lateral movement within the network.
**Investigative actions**
* Check for signs of data exfiltration from any internet-facing destination server.
* Identify the source and target users and hosts involved in the NTLM authentication attempt.
* Monitor the users associated with the authentication for any further suspicious activities or unauthorized actions.
* Look for earlier connections to the source which may cause it to initiate the session.
* Investigate the root cause of the behavior and determine if it can be mitigated or blocked in the future.
---
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