> 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/cortex-xdr-agent/7.8-eol/cortex-xdr-agent-7.8-for-linux.md).

# Cortex XDR Agent 7.8 for Linux

The Cortex XDR agent protects Linux servers by preventing known and unknown malware from running by halting any attempts to leverage software exploits and vulnerabilities to compromise the server. The agent also extends exploit and malware protection to processes that run in Linux containers. When you install the agent on a Linux server that uses containers, it automatically protects any new and existing containerized processes regardless of the container solution (for example, docker). Because Cortex XDR issues the license per Linux server, each container does not consume any additional licenses.

The protection capabilities and features that the Cortex XDR agent for Linux provide depend on the operation modes you choose to deploy the Cortex XDR agent on your Linux server:

* Kernel Mode

  Cortex XDR agent runs in the supported kernel version itself. The Palo Alto Networks Compatibility Matrix provides more information about supported versions.
* User Space Mode

  Allows you to leverage the protection provide by Cortex XDR agent on Linux distributions running kernel 5.0 and above without loading a kernel module.

  To enable the User Space mode, make sure you:

  * Configure in your **Add a New Agent Settings Profile** the **Agent Operation Mode** as **User Space**.
  * For new Cortex XDR agents and Cortex XDR agents running on versions earlier than 7.8, the current YAML file is incompatible. You must create and deploy the new YAML installer for [Kubernetes](/cortex-xdr-agent/7.8-eol/cortex-xdr-agent-7.8-for-linux/install-the-cortex-xdr-agent-for-kubernetes-hosts.md) based installations.

  <div data-gb-custom-block data-tag="hint" data-style="info" class="hint hint-info"><h3>Note</h3><p>User Space mode is available for machines running kernel 5.0 and above.</p></div>

The following table details protection capabilities provided according to each operation mode.

| Protection Capabilities                                                                           | Kernel | User Space |
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | :----: | :--------: |
| Exploit Protection                                                                                |    x   |      x     |
| Malware Protection                                                                                |    x   |      x     |
| Endpoint EDR Data Collection                                                                      |    x   |      x     |
| Event Monitoring                                                                                  |    x   |      x     |
| <p>File Execution</p><ul><li>ELF File Analysis</li><li>Local Privilege Escalation (LPE)</li></ul> |    x   |      x     |
| Kernel Integrity Monitoring                                                                       |    x   |      —     |
| Local Privilege Escalation Protection                                                             |    x   |      —     |

The following topics describe how to install and use the Cortex XDR agent for Linux:

* [Cortex XDR for Linux Requirements](/cortex-xdr-agent/7.8-eol/cortex-xdr-agent-7.8-for-linux/cortex-xdr-agent-for-linux-requirements.md)
* [Use the Cortex XDR Agent for Linux](/cortex-xdr-agent/7.8-eol/cortex-xdr-agent-7.8-for-linux/use-the-cortex-xdr-agent-for-linux.md)
* [Uninstall the Cortex XDR Agent for Linux](/cortex-xdr-agent/7.8-eol/cortex-xdr-agent-7.8-for-linux/uninstall-the-cortex-xdr-agent-for-linux.md)


---

# 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 dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex-xdr-agent/7.8-eol/cortex-xdr-agent-7.8-for-linux.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

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.