Web or Application Server Spawning a Shell
The following analytic detects instances where Java, or Tomcat processes spawn a Linux shell, which may indicate exploitation attempts, such as those related to CVE-2021-44228 (Log4Shell). This detection leverages…
Description
The following analytic detects instances where Java, or Tomcat processes spawn a Linux shell, which may indicate exploitation attempts, such as those related to CVE-2021-44228 (Log4Shell). This detection leverages Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) telemetry, focusing on process names and parent-child process relationships. This activity is significant as it can signify a compromised Java application, potentially leading to unauthorized shell access. If confirmed malicious, attackers could execute arbitrary commands, escalate privileges, or maintain persistent access, posing a severe threat to the environment.
Detection logic
Detection requirements
- Platform
- ContainersESXiIaaSLinuxmacOSNetwork DevicesWindows
The rule states no platform. This is derived from the 2 ATT&CK techniques it maps to.
- Log source category
- sysmon_eventid_1sysmon_for_linux_eventid_1
Known benign triggers
- Filtering may be required on internal developer build systems or classify assets as web facing and restrict the analytic based on asset type.
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 |
|---|---|
| blog.netlab.360.com/ten-families-of-malicious-samples-are-spreading-using-the-log4j2-vulnerability-now/ | Only this detection cites it |
| gist.github.com/olafhartong/916ebc673ba066537740164f7e7e1d72 | 2 |
From the source
- At source
- Open at source
- Upstream identifier
- 8fdb41ad-091c-4d7a-af1d-9123fe94b539
- Tagged by the source as
- BlackByte RansomwareCISA AA22-257ACISA AA22-264ACleo File Transfer SoftwareData DestructionFlax TyphoonGhostRedirector IIS Module and Rungan BackdoorHAFNIUM GroupHermetic WiperLog4Shell CVE-2021-44228Microsoft SharePoint VulnerabilitiesMicrosoft WSUS CVE-2025-59287PHP-CGI RCE Attack on Japanese OrganizationsProxyNotShellProxyShellSAP NetWeaver ExploitationSpring4Shell CVE-2022-22965SysAid On-Prem Software CVE-2023-47246 VulnerabilityWS FTP Server Critical VulnerabilitiesEndpointendpointSplunk CloudSplunk EnterpriseSplunk Enterprise Securityendpoint
Licence
- Published under
- Apache License 2.0Read the licence
- Attribution
- Required
- Obtained under
- Apache-2.0Read the origin licence
Authorship
- Published
- Aug 26, 2026
- Version
- 1