> 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-setwindowshookex-api-invocation-of-a-possible-keylogger.md).

# Uncommon SetWindowsHookEx API invocation of a possible keylogger

### 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       | Credential Access (TA0006), Collection (TA0009) |
| ATT\&CK Technique    | Input Capture: Keylogging (T1056.001)           |
| Severity             | Medium                                          |

### Description

A process installed a Windows desktop hook by calling the SetWindowsHookEx API function with an unpopular module. This behavior is commonly seen in keyloggers.

### Attacker's Goals

Attackers can monitor keyboard events as another way for credential gathering or to collect more user data over time for espionage purposes.

### Investigative actions

* Check if the process has a user interface (a visible window).
* Check if the process has an option to set or modify keyboard hot-keys.
* Check if the process is part of a remote control tool.
* Check if the process is a known user application that was updated recently.
* Check if the process is built with AutoHotkey and is known to the user.\* If the process is a scripting engine or a hosting executable, check the actor process command line.
* Investigate the endpoint if the process writes files to disk.


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