SSH Authorized Key File Activity Detected via Defend for Containers
This rule detects the creation or modification of an authorized_keys file inside a container. The Secure Shell (SSH) authorized_keys file specifies which users are allowed to log into a server using public key…
Description
This rule detects the creation or modification of an authorized_keys file inside a container. The Secure Shell (SSH) authorized_keys file specifies which users are allowed to log into a server using public key authentication. Adversaries may modify it to maintain persistence on a victim host by adding their own public key(s). Unexpected and unauthorized SSH usage inside a container can be an indicator of compromise and should be investigated.
Detection logic
Its licence does not clear it for publishing here
Sunturai publishes a detection's own text where the licence it arrived under has been reviewed and permits it, and Elastic License 2.0 has not. The query as its source wrote it, its canonical form and the hash that pins this revision are in the workspace record.
Detection requirements
- Platform
- ContainersESXiIaaSIdentity ProviderLinuxmacOSNetwork DevicesOffice SuiteSaaSWindows
The rule states no platform. This is derived from the 3 ATT&CK techniques it maps to.
- Log source category
- event_index
MITRE ATT&CK mappings
0 exclusive techniques.This is coverage no other published rule has; it is not this rule's total technique count.
No references are available for this detection.
From the source
- At source
- Open at source
- Upstream identifier
- f7769104-e8f9-4931-94a2-68fc04eadec3
- Tagged by the source as
- Data Source: Elastic Defend for ContainersDomain: ContainersNoise: UnknownOS: LinuxPerformance: FastPlatform: LinuxResources: Investigation GuideRule Type: Event Correlation (EQL)Tactic: Lateral MovementTactic: PersistenceUse Case: Threat Detection
Licence
- Published under
- Elastic License 2.0Read the licence
- Attribution
- Required
Authorship
- Written by
- Published
- Sep 20, 2026
- Version
- 3