> 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-unlock.md).
# Unusual user account unlock
### 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 | Initial Access (TA0001) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Valid Accounts (T1078) |
| Severity | Informational |
### Description
A user unlocked an account. This user does not usually unlock user accounts.
### Attacker's Goals
An attacker may unlock a user account to gain unauthorized access.
### Investigative actions
* Investigate the associated authentication attempts and login failures (e.g. 4625, 4776 events).
* Check if the user is authorized to unlock accounts.
* Confirm that the user unlock was expected.
* Monitor services that may be running with a user's credentials, resulting in lockouts.
### Variations
Unusual sensitive user account unlock
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | ----------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Initial Access (TA0001) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Valid Accounts (T1078) |
| Severity | Low |
**Description**
A user unlocked a sensitive account. This user does not usually unlock user accounts.
**Attacker's Goals**
An attacker may unlock a user account to gain unauthorized access.
**Investigative actions**
* Investigate the associated authentication attempts and login failures (e.g. 4625, 4776 events).
* Check if the user is authorized to unlock accounts.
* Confirm that the user unlock was expected.
* Monitor services that may be running with a user's credentials, resulting in lockouts.
---
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