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Linux Shell Pseudo Device Reverse Shell

The following analytic detects the use of shell's /dev/tcp or /dev/udp pseudo-device feature to establish outbound network connections. This special file system interface allows opening a network socket and sending…

Description

The following analytic detects the use of shell's /dev/tcp or /dev/udp pseudo-device feature to establish outbound network connections. This special file system interface allows opening a network socket and sending or receiving data using simple shell commands. Attackers commonly abuse this native shell capability to create reverse shells without requiring external tools such as netcat, by redirecting shell I/O over a TCP or UDP connection to an attacker-controlled host and port.

Detection logic

Detection requirements

Platform
ContainersESXiIaaSIdentity ProviderLinuxmacOSNetwork DevicesOffice SuiteSaaSWindows

The rule states no platform. This is derived from the 2 ATT&CK techniques it maps to.

Log source category
sysmon_for_linux_eventid_1

Known benign triggers

  • Legitimate system administrators or developers may use /dev/tcp or /dev/udp for network diagnostics or testing purposes. Filter based on known authorized users and trusted source systems.

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