> 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/vulnerable-certificate-template-loaded.md).
# Vulnerable certificate template loaded
### 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 |
| Detector Tags | Active Directory Certificate Services Analytics |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Credential Access (TA0006) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Steal or Forge Authentication Certificates (T1649) |
| Severity | Informational |
### Description
A possible misconfigured certificate template was loaded by Certificate Services. This may indicate potential certificate template abuse.
### Attacker's Goals
An attacker is attempting to exploit AD CS misconfigurations to obtain certificates that can be used for credential theft and privilege escalation.
### Investigative actions
* Review the AD CS configuration for vulnerable templates and EKU settings.
* Review AD CS logs to identify any unauthorized certificate issuances, modifications, or template changes.
* Look for signs of certificate template enumeration via LDAP.
* Inspect certificates issued to privileged accounts.
* Check for abnormal PKINIT authentication or elevated Kerberos tickets.
### Variations
First detection of AD CS ESC vulnerability in certificate template
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | -------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Credential Access (TA0006) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Steal or Forge Authentication Certificates (T1649) |
| Severity | Medium |
**Description**
A misconfigured certificate template vulnerable to an AD CS ESC attack was loaded by Certificate Services for the first time. This may indicate potential certificate template abuse.
**Attacker's Goals**
An attacker is attempting to exploit AD CS misconfigurations to obtain certificates that can be used for credential theft and privilege escalation.
**Investigative actions**
* Review the AD CS configuration for vulnerable templates and EKU settings.
* Review AD CS logs to identify any unauthorized certificate issuances, modifications, or template changes.
* Look for signs of certificate template enumeration via LDAP.
* Inspect certificates issued to privileged accounts.
* Check for abnormal PKINIT authentication or elevated Kerberos tickets.
Certificate template vulnerable to AD CS ESC attack
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | -------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Credential Access (TA0006) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Steal or Forge Authentication Certificates (T1649) |
| Severity | Low |
**Description**
A misconfigured certificate template vulnerable to an AD CS ESC attack was loaded by Certificate Services. This may indicate potential certificate template abuse.
**Attacker's Goals**
An attacker is attempting to exploit AD CS misconfigurations to obtain certificates that can be used for credential theft and privilege escalation.
**Investigative actions**
* Review the AD CS configuration for vulnerable templates and EKU settings.
* Review AD CS logs to identify any unauthorized certificate issuances, modifications, or template changes.
* Look for signs of certificate template enumeration via LDAP.
* Inspect certificates issued to privileged accounts.
* Check for abnormal PKINIT authentication or elevated Kerberos tickets.
---
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