> 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-set-insecure-ca-registry-setting-for-global-sans.md).

# User set insecure CA registry setting for global SANs

### 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)         |
| Detection Modules    | Identity Analytics                                   |
| Detector Tags        | Active Directory Certificate Services Analytics      |
| ATT\&CK Tactic       | Defense Evasion (TA0005)                             |
| ATT\&CK Technique    | Impair Defenses: Disable or Modify Tools (T1562.001) |
| Severity             | Low                                                  |

### Description

A user enabled the EDITF\_ATTRIBUTESUBJECTALTNAME2 registry flag, allowing custom Subject Alternative Names (SANs) to be specified on all certificate templates. This could enable attackers to bypass security controls by requesting certificates with user-defined SANs.

### Attacker's Goals

* This flag can allow an attacker to obtain a certificate with higher privileges and escalate to Domain Admin.

### Investigative actions

* Confirm whether the registry change was authorized by the user or system administrator.
* Monitor certificate enrollments with Subject Alternate Names.
* Restore the secure configuration by disabling the EDITF\_ATTRIBUTESUBJECTALTNAME2 flag and enforcing strict certificate policies.
* Investigate any unusual authentication attempts or certificates issued to high-privilege users or accounts.


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