Unusual Pkexec Execution
This rule detects the execution of the `pkexec` command by a shell process. The `pkexec` command is used to execute programs as another user, typically as the superuser. Through the `new_terms` rule type, unusual…
Description
This rule detects the execution of the `pkexec` command by a shell process. The `pkexec` command is used to execute programs as another user, typically as the superuser. Through the `new_terms` rule type, unusual executions of `pkexec` are identified, and may indicate an attempt to escalate privileges or perform unauthorized actions on the system.
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
- 3ca81a95-d5af-4b77-b0ad-b02bc746f640
- Tagged by the source as
- Data Source: Elastic DefendData Source: Elastic EndgameData Source: SentinelOneDomain: EndpointNoise: LowOS: LinuxPerformance: NormalPlatform: LinuxResources: Investigation GuideRule Type: New TermsTactic: ExecutionTactic: PersistenceUse Case: Threat Detection
Licence
- Published under
- Elastic License 2.0Read the licence
- Attribution
- Required
Authorship
- Written by
- Published
- Oct 9, 2026
- Version
- 4