A user connected to a VPN from a new country

Cortex XDR Analytics Alert Reference by data source

Product
Cortex XDR
Last date published
2024-12-03
Category
Analytics Alert Reference
Order
data source

Synopsis

Activation Period

14 Days

Training Period

30 Days

Test Period

N/A (single event)

Deduplication Period

30 Days

Required Data

  • Requires one of the following data sources:
    • Palo Alto Networks Global Protect
      OR
    • Third-Party VPNs

Detection Modules

Identity Analytics

Detector Tags

ATT&CK Tactic

ATT&CK Technique

Severity

Informational

Description

A user connected to a VPN from an unusual country that the user has not connected from before. This may indicate the account was compromised.

Attacker's Goals

Use an account that was possibly compromised to gain access to the network.

Investigative actions

  • See whether the service authentication was successful.
  • Confirm that the activity is benign (e.g. the user has switched locations and providers).
  • Verify if the country is an approved country to connect from.
  • Follow further actions done by the user.

Variations

A user connected to a VPN from a suspicious country

Synopsis

ATT&CK Tactic

ATT&CK Technique

Severity

Low

Description

A user connected to a VPN service from an unusual country. This may indicate the account was compromised.

Attacker's Goals

Use an account that was possibly compromised to gain access to the network.

Investigative actions

  • See whether the service authentication was successful.
  • Confirm that the activity is benign (e.g. the user has switched locations and providers).
  • Verify if the country is an approved country to connect from.
  • Follow further actions done by the user.