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MediumSplunk security contentTeoderick Contreras +1

Linux Auditd Setuid Using Setcap Utility

The following analytic detects the execution of the 'setcap' utility to enable the SUID bit on Linux systems. It leverages Linux Auditd data, focusing on process names and command-line arguments that indicate the use…

Description

The following analytic detects the execution of the 'setcap' utility to enable the SUID bit on Linux systems. It leverages Linux Auditd data, focusing on process names and command-line arguments that indicate the use of 'setcap' with specific capabilities. This activity is significant because setting the SUID bit allows a user to temporarily gain root access, posing a substantial security risk. If confirmed malicious, an attacker could escalate privileges, execute arbitrary commands with elevated permissions, and potentially compromise the entire system.

Detection logic

Detection requirements

Platform
LinuxmacOS

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

Log source category
linux_auditd_execve

Known benign triggers

  • Administrator or network operator can execute this command. Please update the filter macros to remove false positives.

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