> 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-sso-authentication.md).

# Suspicious SSO authentication

### Synopsis

| Field                | Value                   |
| -------------------- | ----------------------- |
| Activation Period    | 14 Days                 |
| Training Period      | 30 Days                 |
| Test Period          | N/A (single event)      |
| Deduplication Period | 1 Day                   |
| Required Data        | Okta                    |
| Detection Modules    | Identity Analytics      |
| ATT\&CK Tactic       | Initial Access (TA0001) |
| ATT\&CK Technique    | Valid Accounts (T1078)  |
| Severity             | Informational           |

### Description

A suspicious SSO authentication was made by a user.

### Attacker's Goals

Achieve initial access to a company's resources.

### Investigative actions

* See whether this was a legitimate action.
* Review the external IP/domain involved in the alert.
* Contact the user whose account is being accessed and verify that they are actually attempting to log in.
* Check if the login attempt is coming from an unfamiliar location or device.
* Look for unusual login patterns, such as login attempts at odd hours.
* Monitor the user's account for further unusual activity.

### Variations

<details>

<summary>Successful SSO authentication with suspicious characteristics</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                   |
| ----------------- | ----------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Initial Access (TA0001) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Valid Accounts (T1078)  |
| Severity          | Medium                  |

**Description**

A user successfully accessed SSO with some suspicious characteristics that flagged this login attempt as a suspicious login.

**Attacker's Goals**

Achieve initial access to a company's resources.

**Investigative actions**

* See whether this was a legitimate action.
* Review the external IP/domain involved in the alert.
* Contact the user whose account is being accessed and verify that they are actually attempting to log in.
* Check if the login attempt is coming from an unfamiliar location or device.
* Look for unusual login patterns, such as login attempts at odd hours.
* Monitor the user's account for further unusual activity.

</details>

<details>

<summary>SSO authentication attempt with suspicious characteristics</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                   |
| ----------------- | ----------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Initial Access (TA0001) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Valid Accounts (T1078)  |
| Severity          | Low                     |

**Description**

A user accessed SSO with some suspicious characteristics that flagged this login attempt as a suspicious login.

**Attacker's Goals**

Achieve initial access to a company's resources.

**Investigative actions**

* See whether this was a legitimate action.
* Review the external IP/domain involved in the alert.
* Contact the user whose account is being accessed and verify that they are actually attempting to log in.
* Check if the login attempt is coming from an unfamiliar location or device.
* Look for unusual login patterns, such as login attempts at odd hours.
* Monitor the user's account for further unusual activity.

</details>


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