> 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/unusual-adfs-remote-synchronization-network-connections-from-non-adfs-server.md).

# Unusual ADFS Remote Synchronization network connections from non-ADFS server

### Synopsis

| Field                | Value                                                                                                   |
| -------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Activation Period    | 14 Days                                                                                                 |
| Training Period      | 30 Days                                                                                                 |
| Test Period          | N/A (single event)                                                                                      |
| Deduplication Period | 1 Day                                                                                                   |
| Required Data        | <p>Requires one of the following data sources:<br>Palo Alto Networks Firewall EAL Logs OR XDR Agent</p> |
| Detector Tags        | Active Directory Federation Services Analytics                                                          |
| ATT\&CK Tactic       | Credential Access (TA0006), Lateral Movement (TA0008)                                                   |
| ATT\&CK Technique    | Forge Web Credentials: SAML Tokens (T1606.002), Exploitation of Remote Services (T1210)                 |
| Severity             | Low                                                                                                     |

### Description

Detected an unauthorized configuration sync request to the ADFS Policy Store from a non-ADFS server, step for forging SAML tokens in a Golden SAML attack.

### Attacker's Goals

The attack goal is to forge a valid SAML token to impersonate any user and gain persistent, unauthorized access to cloud resources, effectively bypassing MFA and standard security controls.

### Investigative actions

* Correlate this network event with AD FS service account activity. The attacker must use the service account's credentials to authenticate this request.
* Check for a possible DCSync alerts.
* Check alerts that related to ADFS server.
* Check for other correlated alerts on on-premises systems that may be related to the Golden SAML attack.
* Look for signs that the user account is compromised (e.g. abnormal logins, unusual activity).
* Inspect the source machine for the presence of tools like AADInternals or custom SOAP-based scripts.


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