> 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/uncommon-reverse-ssh-tunnel-to-external-domain-ip.md).

# Uncommon reverse SSH tunnel to external domain/ip

### 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        | Abnormal Communication Analytics |
| ATT\&CK Tactic       | Command and Control (TA0011)     |
| ATT\&CK Technique    | Protocol Tunneling (T1572)       |
| Severity             | Low                              |

### Description

An uncommon reverse SSH tunnel might have been created.

### Attacker's Goals

Attackers may use SSH to create an encrypted tunnel to allow an attacker to covertly connect to an internal host.

### Investigative actions

* Review the external ip/domain.
* Investigate the causality of the process.

### Variations

<details>

<summary>Uncommon reverse SOCKS proxy SSH tunnel to external domain/ip</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                        |
| ----------------- | ---------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Command and Control (TA0011) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Protocol Tunneling (T1572)   |
| Severity          | Medium                       |

**Description**

An uncommon reverse SSH tunnel might have been created.

**Attacker's Goals**

Attackers may use SSH to create an encrypted tunnel to allow an attacker to covertly connect to an internal host.

**Investigative actions**

* Review the external ip/domain.
* Investigate the causality of the process.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Uncommon reverse SSH tunnel to external domain/ip to a sensitive port via a non-default bind port</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                        |
| ----------------- | ---------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Command and Control (TA0011) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Protocol Tunneling (T1572)   |
| Severity          | Medium                       |

**Description**

An uncommon reverse SSH tunnel might have been created.

**Attacker's Goals**

Attackers may use SSH to create an encrypted tunnel to allow an attacker to covertly connect to an internal host.

**Investigative actions**

* Review the external ip/domain.
* Investigate the causality of the process.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Uncommon reverse SSH tunnel to external domain/ip using a sensitive port</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                        |
| ----------------- | ---------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Command and Control (TA0011) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Protocol Tunneling (T1572)   |
| Severity          | Low                          |

**Description**

An uncommon reverse SSH tunnel might have been created.

**Attacker's Goals**

Attackers may use SSH to create an encrypted tunnel to allow an attacker to covertly connect to an internal host.

**Investigative actions**

* Review the external ip/domain.
* Investigate the causality of the process.

</details>


---

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