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ESXI Timestomping using Touch Command

Identifies instances where the 'touch' command is executed on a Linux system with the "-r" flag, which is used to modify the timestamp of a file based on another file's timestamp. The rule targets specific VM-related…

Description

Identifies instances where the 'touch' command is executed on a Linux system with the "-r" flag, which is used to modify the timestamp of a file based on another file's timestamp. The rule targets specific VM-related paths, such as "/etc/vmware/", "/usr/lib/vmware/", or "/vmfs/*". These paths are associated with VMware virtualization software, and their presence in the touch command arguments may indicate that a threat actor is attempting to tamper with timestamps of VM-related files and configurations on the system.

Detection logic

Its licence does not clear it for publishing here

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Detection requirements

Platform
ContainersESXiLinuxmacOSNetwork DevicesOffice SuiteWindows

The rule states no platform. This is derived from the ATT&CK technique it maps to.

Log source category
event_index

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