> 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-user-account-enablement.md).
# Unusual user account enablement
### Synopsis
| Field | Value |
| -------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Activation Period | 14 Days |
| Training Period | 30 Days |
| Test Period | N/A (single event) |
| Deduplication Period | 1 Day |
| Required Data | Requires one of the following data sources:
Windows Event Collector OR XDR Agent with eXtended Threat Hunting (XTH)
|
| Detection Modules | Identity Analytics |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Persistence (TA0003) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Account Manipulation (T1098) |
| Severity | Informational |
### Description
A user enabled an account. This user does not usually enable user accounts.
### Attacker's Goals
An attacker may enable a user account to gain persistence.
### Investigative actions
* Investigate the associated enabling event.
* Check if the user is authorized to enable accounts.
* Confirm that the account enablement was expected.
* If the account enablement seems suspicious, address it accordingly by disabling the account again, forcing a password change, or monitoring its activity.
### Variations
Unusual sensitive user account enablement
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | ---------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Persistence (TA0003) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Account Manipulation (T1098) |
| Severity | Low |
**Description**
A user enabled a sensitive account. This user does not usually enable user accounts.
**Attacker's Goals**
An attacker may enable a user account to gain persistence.
**Investigative actions**
* Investigate the associated enabling event.
* Check if the user is authorized to enable accounts.
* Confirm that the account enablement was expected.
* If the account enablement seems suspicious, address it accordingly by disabling the account again, forcing a password change, or monitoring its activity.
---
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