Potential Abuse of Linux Magic System Request Key
Detects the potential abuse of the Linux Magic SysRq (System Request) key by adversaries with root or sufficient privileges to silently manipulate or destabilize a system. By writing to /proc/sysrq-trigger, they can…
Description
Detects the potential abuse of the Linux Magic SysRq (System Request) key by adversaries with root or sufficient privileges to silently manipulate or destabilize a system. By writing to /proc/sysrq-trigger, they can crash the system, kill processes, or disrupt forensic analysis—all while bypassing standard logging. Though intended for recovery and debugging, SysRq can be misused as a stealthy post-exploitation tool. It is controlled via /proc/sys/kernel/sysrq or permanently through /etc/sysctl.conf.
Detection logic
Detection requirements
- Platform
- ContainersESXiIaaSLinuxmacOSNetwork DevicesWindows
The rule states no platform. This is derived from the 4 ATT&CK techniques it maps to.
- Log source product
- linux
- Log source service
- auditd
Known benign triggers
- Legitimate administrative activity
MITRE ATT&CK mappings
0 exclusive techniques.This is coverage no other published rule has; it is not this rule's total technique count.
References
| Reference | Cited by |
|---|---|
| docs.redhat.com/en/documentation/red_hat_enterprise_linux/4/html/reference_guide/s3-proc-sys-kernel | 2from 2 sources |
| www.kernel.org/doc/html/v4.10/_sources/admin-guide/sysrq.txt | 2from 2 sources |
| www.splunk.com/en_us/blog/security/threat-update-awfulshred-script-wiper.html | 2from 2 sources |
From the source
- At source
- Open at source
- Upstream identifier
- ea61bb82-a5e0-42e6-8537-91d29500f1b9
- Tagged by the source as
- attack.executionattack.impact
Licence
- Published under
- Detection Rule License 1.1Read the licence
- Attribution
- Required
Authorship
- Written by
- Published
- Aug 26, 2026
- Version
- 1