Linux Auditd Possible Access Or Modification Of Sshd Config File
The following analytic detects access, deletion or modification of the ssh_config file on Linux systems. It leverages data from Linux Auditd, focusing on events of type PATH with a nametype of ("NORMAL", "CREATE",…
Description
The following analytic detects access, deletion or modification of the ssh_config file on Linux systems. It leverages data from Linux Auditd, focusing on events of type PATH with a nametype of ("NORMAL", "CREATE", "DELETE"). This activity could be significant because unauthorized changes to ssh_config can allow threat actors to redirect port connections or use unauthorized keys, potentially compromising the system. Correlate this with related EXECVE or PROCTITLE events to identify the process or user responsible for the access or modification. If confirmed malicious, this could lead to unauthorized access, privilege escalation, or persistent backdoor access, posing a severe security risk.
Detection logic
Detection requirements
- Platform
- ESXiIaaSLinuxmacOSNetwork Devices
The rule states no platform. This is derived from the ATT&CK technique it maps to.
- Log source category
- linux_auditd_cwdlinux_auditd_path
Known benign triggers
- Administrator or network operator can use this commandline for automation purposes. Please update the filter macros to remove false positives.
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 |
|---|---|
| attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1098/004/ | 4from 2 sources |
| www.hackingarticles.in/ssh-penetration-testing-port-22/ | 3 |
From the source
- At source
- Open at source
- Upstream identifier
- acb3ea33-70f7-47aa-b335-643b3aebcb2f
- Tagged by the source as
- Compromised Linux HostLinux Living Off The LandLinux Persistence TechniquesLinux Privilege EscalationEndpointendpointSplunk CloudSplunk EnterpriseSplunk Enterprise Securityendpoint
Licence
- Published under
- Apache License 2.0Read the licence
- Attribution
- Required
- Obtained under
- Apache-2.0Read the origin licence
Authorship
- Published
- Aug 26, 2026
- Version
- 1