Pluggable Authentication Module (PAM) Creation in Unusual Directory
This rule detects the creation of Pluggable Authentication Module (PAM) shared object files in unusual directories. Attackers may compile PAM shared object files in temporary directories, to move them to system…
Description
This rule detects the creation of Pluggable Authentication Module (PAM) shared object files in unusual directories. Attackers may compile PAM shared object files in temporary directories, to move them to system directories later, potentially allowing them to maintain persistence on a compromised system, or harvest account credentials.
Detection logic
Its licence does not clear it for publishing here
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Detection requirements
- Platform
- ContainersIaaSIdentity ProviderLinuxmacOSNetwork DevicesOffice SuiteSaaSWindows
The rule states no platform. This is derived from the 2 ATT&CK techniques it maps to.
- Log source category
- event_index
Known benign triggers
- Trusted system module updates or allowed Pluggable Authentication Module (PAM) daemon configuration changes.
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 |
|---|---|
| 0x90909090.blogspot.com/2016/06/creating-backdoor-in-pam-in-5-line-of.html | 4 |
| github.com/eurialo/pambd | 4 |
| github.com/zephrax/linux-pam-backdoor | 4 |
| www.trendmicro.com/en_us/research/19/i/skidmap-linux-malware-uses-rootkit-capabilities-to-hide-cryptocurrency-mining-payload.html | 4 |
From the source
- At source
- Open at source
- Upstream identifier
- 5c832156-5785-4c9c-a2e7-0d80d2ba3daa
- Tagged by the source as
- Data Source: Elastic DefendData Source: Elastic EndgameData Source: SentinelOneDomain: EndpointNoise: MediumOS: LinuxPerformance: NormalPlatform: LinuxResources: Investigation GuideRule Type: Event Correlation (EQL)Tactic: Credential AccessTactic: PersistenceUse Case: Threat Detection
Licence
- Published under
- Elastic License 2.0Read the licence
- Attribution
- Required
Authorship
- Written by
- Published
- Sep 20, 2026
- Version
- 3