> 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/unsigned-process-running-from-a-temporary-directory.md).

# Unsigned process running from a temporary directory

### 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                                                |
| ATT\&CK Tactic       | Stealth (TA0005)                                         |
| ATT\&CK Technique    | Hide Artifacts: Hidden Files and Directories (T1564.001) |
| Severity             | Informational                                            |

### Description

Malware often runs from a temporary folder.

### Attacker's Goals

Evade detection by staging and executing unsigned malware from a temporary directory.

### Investigative actions

* Investigate the unsigned process.
* Verify whether the process is legitimate (e.g., an installer extracting to %TEMP%) or potentially malicious.
* Review the parent process command line and the causality chain.
* Check the SHA256 of the unsigned binary against threat intelligence.

### Variations

<details>

<summary>Unsigned process running from a temporary directory spawned by an untrusted parent process</summary>

**Synopsis**

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

**Description**

Malware often runs from a temporary folder.

**Attacker's Goals**

Evade detection by staging and executing unsigned malware from a temporary directory.

**Investigative actions**

* Investigate the unsigned process.
* Verify whether the process is legitimate (e.g., an installer extracting to %TEMP%) or potentially malicious.
* Review the parent process command line and the causality chain.
* Check the SHA256 of the unsigned binary against threat intelligence.

</details>


---

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