Linux Suspicious XDG Autostart
The following analytic detects the creation of a .desktop file within XDG autostart directories, including the system-wide /etc/xdg/autostart and user-local ~/.config/autostart paths. Adversaries abuse XDG autostart…
Description
The following analytic detects the creation of a .desktop file within XDG autostart directories, including the system-wide /etc/xdg/autostart and user-local ~/.config/autostart paths. Adversaries abuse XDG autostart entries to achieve persistence on Linux desktop environments — any .desktop file placed in these directories is automatically executed when a user logs into a graphical session. This technique is used by post-exploitation frameworks such as PANIX to survive reboots without requiring root on user-local paths, or to achieve system-wide persistence when writing to /etc/xdg/autostart.
Detection logic
Detection requirements
- Platform
- ESXiLinuxmacOSNetwork DevicesWindows
The rule states no platform. This is derived from the 3 ATT&CK techniques it maps to.
- Log source category
- sysmon_for_linux_eventid_11
Known benign triggers
- Legitimate software installations may create .desktop files in /etc/xdg/autostart as part of their normal setup process. Filter known software deployment tools and approved administrative activity as needed.
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 |
|---|---|
| github.com/Aegrah/PANIX | 8 |
From the source
- At source
- Open at source
- Upstream identifier
- dc057fd6-34db-4c41-b8dd-00463c47bf83
- Tagged by the source as
- Linux Persistence TechniquesLinux Post-ExploitationEndpointendpointSplunk 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