> 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).
---
# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.
## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.
Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:
```
GET https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/analytics-alerts/alerts-by-name/unusual-db-process-spawning-a-shell.md?ask=&goal=
```
`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.
Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.