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MediumSplunk security contentRaven Tait +1

Linux Suspicious Child Process of PostgreSQL

The following analytic detects PostgreSQL spawning a shell, interpreter, or network utility as a child process. When an attacker exploits a remote code execution vulnerability in PostgreSQL (such as via malicious…

Description

The following analytic detects PostgreSQL spawning a shell, interpreter, or network utility as a child process. When an attacker exploits a remote code execution vulnerability in PostgreSQL (such as via malicious COPY TO/FROM PROGRAM, CVE-2019-9193, or an insecurely configured extension), the database process itself becomes the parent of attacker-controlled commands. Legitimate PostgreSQL processes do not normally fork shells or download tools, making this a high-fidelity signal for post-exploitation activity.

Detection logic

Detection requirements

Platform
ContainersESXiIaaSLinuxmacOSNetwork DevicesWindows

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

Log source category
sysmon_for_linux_eventid_1

Known benign triggers

  • Custom PostgreSQL extensions or wrapper scripts that legitimately invoke shell utilities may trigger this detection. Baseline the environment and use the filter macro to suppress known-good parent/child combinations. Recommend throttling by dest and process_name before enabling broadly.

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