> 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-process-executed-with-a-high-integrity-level.md).

# Suspicious process executed with a high integrity level

### 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                                 |
| ATT\&CK Tactic       | Privilege Escalation (TA0004)             |
| ATT\&CK Technique    | Abuse Elevation Control Mechanism (T1548) |
| Severity             | Informational                             |

### Description

A suspicious process was spawned with a High or System integrity level, which is higher than its parent process. This may indicate malicious privilege escalation.

### Attacker's Goals

An attacker may attempt to gain higher privileges.

### Investigative actions

* Check whether the command line executed is benign or normal for the host and/or user performing it.
* Investigate the endpoint to determine if it's a legitimate process that is supposed to run with privileges.

### Variations

<details>

<summary>Suspicious process executed with a high integrity level</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                                     |
| ----------------- | ----------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Privilege Escalation (TA0004)             |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Abuse Elevation Control Mechanism (T1548) |
| Severity          | Low                                       |

**Description**

A suspicious process was spawned with a High or System integrity level, which is higher than its parent process. This may indicate malicious privilege escalation.

**Attacker's Goals**

An attacker may attempt to gain higher privileges.

**Investigative actions**

* Check whether the command line executed is benign or normal for the host and/or user performing it.
* Investigate the endpoint to determine if it's a legitimate process that is supposed to run with privileges.

</details>


---

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