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.
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 |
|---|---|
| swisskyrepo.github.io/InternalAllTheThings/cheatsheets/shell-reverse-cheatsheet/#bash-tcp | Only this detection cites it |
From the source
- At source
- Open at source
- Upstream identifier
- f324bc06-8436-4606-8882-0a8fb480b719
- Tagged by the source as
- Command And ControlCompromised Linux HostLinux Persistence TechniquesLinux Post-ExploitationLinux 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
- Written by
- Published
- Aug 26, 2026
- Version
- 1