> 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/vm-detection-attempt-on-linux.md).
# VM Detection attempt on Linux
### 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 |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Defense Evasion (TA0005), Discovery (TA0007) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Virtualization/Sandbox Evasion: System Checks (T1497.001) |
| Severity | Informational |
### Description
A Process executed a command and/or accessed a file that can be used to detect VM environments.
### Attacker's Goals
Avoid malware analysis by identifying execution from within sandboxes and virtual machines.
### Investigative actions
* Review the process for additional malicious actions.
* Check for any additional alerts raised within the same context of the script.
### Variations
VM Detection attempt on Linux with further reconnaissance commands
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Defense Evasion (TA0005), Discovery (TA0007), Discovery (TA0007) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Virtualization/Sandbox Evasion: System Checks (T1497.001), System Owner/User Discovery (T1033) |
| Severity | Medium |
**Description**
A Process executed a command and/or accessed a file that can be used to detect VM environments.
**Attacker's Goals**
Avoid malware analysis by identifying execution from within sandboxes and virtual machines.
**Investigative actions**
* Review the process for additional malicious actions.
* Check for any additional alerts raised within the same context of the script.
VM Detection attempt on Linux using an unpopular technique
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | --------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Defense Evasion (TA0005), Discovery (TA0007) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Virtualization/Sandbox Evasion: System Checks (T1497.001) |
| Severity | Low |
**Description**
A Process executed a command and/or accessed a file that can be used to detect VM environments.
**Attacker's Goals**
Avoid malware analysis by identifying execution from within sandboxes and virtual machines.
**Investigative actions**
* Review the process for additional malicious actions.
* Check for any additional alerts raised within the same context of the script.
---
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