Suspicious Invocation of Shell via AWK - Linux
Detects the execution of "awk" or it's sibling commands, to invoke a shell using the system() function. This behavior is commonly associated with attempts to execute arbitrary commands or escalate privileges,…
Description
Detects the execution of "awk" or it's sibling commands, to invoke a shell using the system() function. This behavior is commonly associated with attempts to execute arbitrary commands or escalate privileges, potentially leading to unauthorized access or further exploitation.
Detection logic
Detection requirements
- Platform
- ContainersESXiIaaSIdentity ProviderLinuxmacOSNetwork DevicesOffice SuiteSaaSWindows
The rule states no platform. This is derived from the ATT&CK technique it maps to.
- Log source product
- linux
- Log source category
- process_creation
Known benign triggers
- Unknown
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 |
|---|---|
| gtfobins.github.io/gtfobins/awk/#shell | 2from 2 sources |
| gtfobins.github.io/gtfobins/gawk/#shell | 3from 3 sources |
| gtfobins.github.io/gtfobins/mawk/#shell | 3from 2 sources |
| gtfobins.github.io/gtfobins/nawk/#shell | 3from 2 sources |
From the source
- At source
- Open at source
- Upstream identifier
- 8c1a5675-cb85-452f-a298-b01b22a51856
- Tagged by the source as
- attack.execution
Licence
- Published under
- Detection Rule License 1.1Read the licence
- Attribution
- Required
Authorship
- Published
- Aug 26, 2026
- Version
- 1