Linux Service File Created In Systemd Directory
The following analytic detects the creation of suspicious service files within the systemd directories on Linux platforms. It leverages logs containing file name, file path, and process GUID data from endpoints. This…
Description
The following analytic detects the creation of suspicious service files within the systemd directories on Linux platforms. It leverages logs containing file name, file path, and process GUID data from endpoints. This activity is significant for a SOC as it may indicate an adversary attempting to establish persistence on a compromised host. If confirmed malicious, this could lead to system compromise or data exfiltration, allowing attackers to maintain control over the system and execute further malicious activities.
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
- sysmon_for_linux_eventid_11
Known benign triggers
- False positives may arise when administrators or network operators create files in systemd directories for legitimate automation tasks. Therefore, it's important to adjust filter macros to account for valid activities. To implement this search successfully, it's crucial to ingest appropriate logs, preferably using the Linux Sysmon Add-on from Splunkbase for those using Sysmon.
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/T1053/006/ | Only this detection cites it |
| github.com/microsoft/MSTIC-Sysmon/blob/main/linux/configs/attack-based/persistence/T1053.003_Cron_Activity.xml | Only this detection cites it |
| redcanary.com/blog/attck-t1501-understanding-systemd-service-persistence/ | Only this detection cites it |
| www.intezer.com/blog/research/kaiji-new-chinese-linux-malware-turning-to-golang/ | 5 |
From the source
- At source
- Open at source
- Upstream identifier
- c7495048-61b6-11ec-9a37-acde48001122
- Tagged by the source as
- China-Nexus Threat ActivityGomirLinux Living Off The LandLinux Persistence TechniquesLinux Privilege EscalationScheduled TasksVoidLink Cloud-Native Linux MalwareEndpointendpointSplunk 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
- Aug 26, 2026
- Version
- 1