> 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/vpn-login-with-a-machine-account.md).

# VPN login with a machine account

### Synopsis

| Field                | Value                                                                                                       |
| -------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Activation Period    | 14 Days                                                                                                     |
| Training Period      | 30 Days                                                                                                     |
| Test Period          | N/A (single event)                                                                                          |
| Deduplication Period | 1 Day                                                                                                       |
| Required Data        | <p>Requires one of the following data sources:<br>Palo Alto Networks Global Protect OR Third-Party VPNs</p> |
| Detection Modules    | Identity Analytics                                                                                          |
| ATT\&CK Tactic       | Initial Access (TA0001)                                                                                     |
| ATT\&CK Technique    | Valid Accounts: Domain Accounts (T1078.002)                                                                 |
| Severity             | Informational                                                                                               |

### Description

A machine account successfully logged in to a VPN service.

### Attacker's Goals

Use an account that was possibly compromised in the past to gain access to the network and access privileged resources.

### Investigative actions

* See whether the service login was successful.
* Check whether the account has done any administrative actions it should not usually do.
* Look for more logins and authentications by the account throughout the network.

### Variations

<details>

<summary>Rare VPN login with a machine account</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                                       |
| ----------------- | ------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Initial Access (TA0001)                     |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Valid Accounts: Domain Accounts (T1078.002) |
| Severity          | Low                                         |

**Description**

A machine account successfully logged in to a VPN service.

**Attacker's Goals**

Use an account that was possibly compromised in the past to gain access to the network and access privileged resources.

**Investigative actions**

* See whether the service login was successful.
* Check whether the account has done any administrative actions it should not usually do.
* Look for more logins and authentications by the account throughout the network.

</details>


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the following URL with the `ask` and `goal` query parameters:

```
GET https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/analytics-alerts/alerts-by-name/vpn-login-with-a-machine-account.md?ask=<question>&goal=<user_goal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is what the user is ultimately trying to achieve, the reason they need the answer. Sharing it helps GitBook give you a better, more relevant answer. A goal is most helpful when it describes the outcome the user wants rather than restating the question. For example, with `ask=how do I create an API token`, a goal like `automate deployments from our CI pipeline` lets GitBook tailor the answer to that use case.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.
