> 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/user-added-to-the-sms-admins-local-group.md).
# User added to the SMS Admins local group
### Synopsis
| Field | Value |
| -------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Activation Period | 14 Days |
| Training Period | 30 Days |
| Test Period | 3 Hours |
| 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 |
| Detector Tags | Microsoft SCCM Analytics |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Persistence (TA0003), Privilege Escalation (TA0004) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Account Manipulation (T1098), Valid Accounts (T1078) |
| Severity | Low |
### Description
A user was added to the SMS Admins local group. This may indicate a potential attack targeting the Microsoft Configuration Manager infrastructure.
### Attacker's Goals
Gain administrative control over Microsoft Configuration Manager to facilitate lateral movement, deploy malicious payloads, or exfiltrate data.
### Investigative actions
* Verify the activity with the performing user.
* Confirm that the group addition was not accidental.
* Review related logs (e.g., Active Directory, SCCM logs) to identify the source of the modification and associated accounts.
* Investigate the user's activity before and after the addition to determine if any unauthorized actions or privilege escalation attempts occurred.
### Variations
User added to the SMS Admins group and removed
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | ---------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Persistence (TA0003), Privilege Escalation (TA0004) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Account Manipulation (T1098), Valid Accounts (T1078) |
| Severity | Medium |
**Description**
A user was added to the SMS Admins group and removed within a short period of time, which may be a sign of compromise.
**Attacker's Goals**
Gain administrative control over Microsoft Configuration Manager to facilitate lateral movement, deploy malicious payloads, or exfiltrate data.
**Investigative actions**
* Verify the activity with the performing user.
* Confirm that the group addition was not accidental.
* Review related logs (e.g., Active Directory, SCCM logs) to identify the source of the modification and associated accounts.
* Investigate the user's activity before and after the addition to determine if any unauthorized actions or privilege escalation attempts occurred.
---
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