> 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-execution-from-tmp-folder.md).

# Suspicious process execution from tmp folder

### 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                                                |
| Detector Tags        | Kubernetes - AGENT, Containers                           |
| ATT\&CK Tactic       | Defense Evasion (TA0005)                                 |
| ATT\&CK Technique    | Hide Artifacts: Hidden Files and Directories (T1564.001) |
| Severity             | Informational                                            |

### Description

An unpopular process was executed from the tmp folder.

### Attacker's Goals

Attackers may try to run the executable application from a folder that is writable to all users and use it to avoid detection.

### Investigative actions

* Verify that this isn't IT activity.
* Look for other hosts executing similar commands.

### Variations

<details>

<summary>A web server process executed an unpopular application from the tmp folder</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                                                    |
| ----------------- | -------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Defense Evasion (TA0005)                                 |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Hide Artifacts: Hidden Files and Directories (T1564.001) |
| Severity          | Medium                                                   |

**Description**

An executable application ran from the tmp folder by a web server process.

**Attacker's Goals**

Attackers may try to run the executable application from a folder that is writable to all users and use it to avoid detection.

**Investigative actions**

* Verify that this isn't IT activity.
* Look for other hosts executing similar commands.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Suspicious cron job task execution of a binary from the tmp folder</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                                                    |
| ----------------- | -------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Defense Evasion (TA0005)                                 |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Hide Artifacts: Hidden Files and Directories (T1564.001) |
| Severity          | Medium                                                   |

**Description**

An unpopular process was executed from the tmp folder.

**Attacker's Goals**

Attackers may try to run the executable application from a folder that is writable to all users and use it to avoid detection.

**Investigative actions**

* Verify that this isn't IT activity.
* Look for other hosts executing similar commands.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Suspicious interactive execution of a binary from the tmp folder</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                                                    |
| ----------------- | -------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Defense Evasion (TA0005)                                 |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Hide Artifacts: Hidden Files and Directories (T1564.001) |
| Severity          | Medium                                                   |

**Description**

An unpopular process was executed from the tmp folder.

**Attacker's Goals**

Attackers may try to run the executable application from a folder that is writable to all users and use it to avoid detection.

**Investigative actions**

* Verify that this isn't IT activity.
* Look for other hosts executing similar commands.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Suspicious process execution from tmp folder in a Kubernetes pod</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                                                    |
| ----------------- | -------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Defense Evasion (TA0005)                                 |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Hide Artifacts: Hidden Files and Directories (T1564.001) |
| Severity          | Informational                                            |

**Description**

An unpopular process was executed from the tmp folder.

**Attacker's Goals**

Attackers may try to run the executable application from a folder that is writable to all users and use it to avoid detection.

**Investigative actions**

* Verify that this isn't IT activity.
* Look for other hosts executing similar commands.

</details>


---

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