Linux Auditd Possible Access To Credential Files
The following analytic detects attempts to access or dump the contents of /etc/passwd and /etc/shadow files on Linux systems. It leverages data from Linux Auditd, focusing on processes like 'cat', 'nano', 'vim', and…
Description
The following analytic detects attempts to access or dump the contents of /etc/passwd and /etc/shadow files on Linux systems. It leverages data from Linux Auditd, focusing on processes like 'cat', 'nano', 'vim', and 'vi' accessing these files. This activity is significant as it may indicate credential dumping, a technique used by adversaries to gain persistence or escalate privileges. If confirmed malicious, privileges. If confirmed malicious, attackers could obtain hashed passwords for offline cracking, leading to unauthorized access and potential system compromise.
Detection logic
Detection requirements
- Platform
- Linux
The rule states no platform. This is derived from the ATT&CK technique it maps to.
- Log source category
- linux_auditd_proctitle
Known benign triggers
- Administrator or network operator can execute this command. 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 |
|---|---|
| askubuntu.com/questions/445361/what-is-difference-between-etc-shadow-and-etc-passwd | 2 |
| attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1003/008/ | 2 |
| github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/388942adbd9641f4dfdcf079d7efe9a75ec0ac43/atomics/T1003.008/T1003.008.yaml#L61 | Only this detection cites it |
From the source
- At source
- Open at source
- Upstream identifier
- 0419cb7a-57ea-467b-974f-77c303dfe2a3
- Tagged by the source as
- Axios Supply Chain Post CompromiseChina-Nexus Threat ActivityCompromised Linux HostLinux Persistence TechniquesLinux Privilege EscalationSalt TyphoonEndpointendpointSplunk CloudSplunk EnterpriseSplunk Enterprise Securityendpoint
Licence
- Published under
- Apache License 2.0Read the licence
- Attribution
- Required
- Obtained under
- Apache-2.0Read the origin licence
Authorship
- Written by
- Published
- Oct 13, 2026
- Version
- 2