> 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-use-of-a-sysinternals-tool.md).
# Unusual use of a 'SysInternals' tool
### 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 | Stealth (TA0005) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Obfuscated Files or Information (T1027) |
| Severity | Informational |
### Description
An attacker may be trying to avoid detection by using an obfuscated copy of SysInternals tools.
### Attacker's Goals
Attackers may leverage SysInternals tools for lateral movement, credential access, or to delete recovery backups to cause impact.
### Investigative actions
* Check if the file is familiar to the user, if not, investigate further the source of it.
### Variations
Unusual use of a 'SysInternals' tool by a process with an invalid or non-standard signature
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | --------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Stealth (TA0005) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Obfuscated Files or Information (T1027) |
| Severity | High |
**Description**
An attacker may be trying to avoid detection by using an obfuscated copy of SysInternals tools.
**Attacker's Goals**
Attackers may leverage SysInternals tools for lateral movement, credential access, or to delete recovery backups to cause impact.
**Investigative actions**
* Check if the file is familiar to the user, if not, investigate further the source of it.
Unusual use of a 'SysInternals' tool that can be used for offensive operations
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | --------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Stealth (TA0005) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Obfuscated Files or Information (T1027) |
| Severity | High |
**Description**
An attacker may be trying to avoid detection by using an obfuscated copy of SysInternals tools.
**Attacker's Goals**
Attackers may leverage SysInternals tools for lateral movement, credential access, or to delete recovery backups to cause impact.
**Investigative actions**
* Check if the file is familiar to the user, if not, investigate further the source of it.
A registry key related to SysInternals was modified by a known registry editor
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | --------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Stealth (TA0005) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Obfuscated Files or Information (T1027) |
| Severity | Informational |
**Description**
A registry key related to SysInternals was modified by a known registry editor to circumvent a EULA prompt.
**Attacker's Goals**
Attackers may leverage SysInternals tools for lateral movement, credential access, or to delete recovery backups to cause impact.
**Investigative actions**
* Check if the file is familiar to the user, if not, investigate further the source of it.
---
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