> 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/tampering-with-the-windows-user-account-controls-uac-configuration.md).

# Tampering with the Windows User Account Controls (UAC) configuration

### 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 with eXtended Threat Hunting (XTH)                               |
| ATT\&CK Tactic       | Defense Evasion (TA0005)                                                   |
| ATT\&CK Technique    | Abuse Elevation Control Mechanism: Bypass User Account Control (T1548.002) |
| Severity             | Informational                                                              |

### Description

EnableLUA specifies whether Windows User Account Controls (UAC) notifies the user when programs try to modify the computer. UAC was formerly known as Limited User Account (LUA).

### Attacker's Goals

Gain higher privileges by bypassing the User Account Control (UAC).

### Investigative actions

Check whether the executing process is benign and if this was a desired behavior as part of its normal execution flow.

### Variations

<details>

<summary>Tampering with the Windows User Account Controls (UAC) configuration by a remote host</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                                                                      |
| ----------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Defense Evasion (TA0005)                                                   |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Abuse Elevation Control Mechanism: Bypass User Account Control (T1548.002) |
| Severity          | Medium                                                                     |

**Description**

EnableLUA specifies whether Windows User Account Controls (UAC) notifies the user when programs try to modify the computer. UAC was formerly known as Limited User Account (LUA).

**Attacker's Goals**

Gain higher privileges by bypassing the User Account Control (UAC).

**Investigative actions**

Check whether the executing process is benign and if this was a desired behavior as part of its normal execution flow.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Tampering with the Windows User Account Controls (UAC) configuration</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                                                                      |
| ----------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Defense Evasion (TA0005)                                                   |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Abuse Elevation Control Mechanism: Bypass User Account Control (T1548.002) |
| Severity          | Low                                                                        |

**Description**

EnableLUA specifies whether Windows User Account Controls (UAC) notifies the user when programs try to modify the computer. UAC was formerly known as Limited User Account (LUA).

**Attacker's Goals**

Gain higher privileges by bypassing the User Account Control (UAC).

**Investigative actions**

Check whether the executing process is benign and if this was a desired behavior as part of its normal execution flow.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Tampering with the Windows User Account Controls (UAC) configuration</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                                                                      |
| ----------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Defense Evasion (TA0005)                                                   |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Abuse Elevation Control Mechanism: Bypass User Account Control (T1548.002) |
| Severity          | Low                                                                        |

**Description**

EnableLUA specifies whether Windows User Account Controls (UAC) notifies the user when programs try to modify the computer. UAC was formerly known as Limited User Account (LUA).

**Attacker's Goals**

Gain higher privileges by bypassing the User Account Control (UAC).

**Investigative actions**

Check whether the executing process is benign and if this was a desired behavior as part of its normal execution flow.

</details>


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