> 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-db-process-spawning-a-shell.md).
# Unusual DB process spawning a shell
### 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 | Shell Analytics |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Initial Access (TA0001), Lateral Movement (TA0008) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Exploit Public-Facing Application (T1190), Exploitation of Remote Services (T1210) |
| Severity | Informational |
### Description
A DB related process abnormally spawned a shell. This might indicate an exploitation attempt.
### Attacker's Goals
Obtain access to either the database or its hosting machine for various purposes like privilege escalation, lateral movement, and data theft.
### Investigative actions
* Review the commands/processes executed by the shell for malicious actions.
* Check if and what else the DB process has executed.
* Check for any additional alerts raised in the context of the DB process.
* Audit the query/access logs of the DB for suspicious actions (Such as SQL injection or similar).
### Variations
Unusual DB process spawning a shell with a possible reconnaissance command
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Initial Access (TA0001), Lateral Movement (TA0008) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Exploit Public-Facing Application (T1190), Exploitation of Remote Services (T1210) |
| Severity | Low |
**Description**
A DB related process abnormally spawned a shell. This might indicate an exploitation attempt.
**Attacker's Goals**
Obtain access to either the database or its hosting machine for various purposes like privilege escalation, lateral movement, and data theft.
**Investigative actions**
* Review the commands/processes executed by the shell for malicious actions.
* Check if and what else the DB process has executed.
* Check for any additional alerts raised in the context of the DB process.
* Audit the query/access logs of the DB for suspicious actions (Such as SQL injection or similar).
Unusual DB process spawning a shell with a possible web download/access command
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Initial Access (TA0001), Lateral Movement (TA0008) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Exploit Public-Facing Application (T1190), Exploitation of Remote Services (T1210) |
| Severity | Low |
**Description**
A DB related process abnormally spawned a shell. This might indicate an exploitation attempt.
**Attacker's Goals**
Obtain access to either the database or its hosting machine for various purposes like privilege escalation, lateral movement, and data theft.
**Investigative actions**
* Review the commands/processes executed by the shell for malicious actions.
* Check if and what else the DB process has executed.
* Check for any additional alerts raised in the context of the DB process.
* Audit the query/access logs of the DB for suspicious actions (Such as SQL injection or similar).
Unusual DB process spawning a shell with an unusual command line
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Initial Access (TA0001), Lateral Movement (TA0008) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Exploit Public-Facing Application (T1190), Exploitation of Remote Services (T1210) |
| Severity | Low |
**Description**
A DB related process abnormally spawned a shell. This might indicate an exploitation attempt.
**Attacker's Goals**
Obtain access to either the database or its hosting machine for various purposes like privilege escalation, lateral movement, and data theft.
**Investigative actions**
* Review the commands/processes executed by the shell for malicious actions.
* Check if and what else the DB process has executed.
* Check for any additional alerts raised in the context of the DB process.
* Audit the query/access logs of the DB for suspicious actions (Such as SQL injection or similar).
---
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