Cisco NVM - Browser Spawned Unix Shell with External Connection
Detects a Unix-based (Linux or macOS) browser process spawning a Unix shell that establishes an outbound connection to an external destination. This browser-to-shell execution chain may indicate malicious browser…
Description
Detects a Unix-based (Linux or macOS) browser process spawning a Unix shell that establishes an outbound connection to an external destination. This browser-to-shell execution chain may indicate malicious browser content, drive-by execution, a compromised website, or abuse of a browser extension on Linux or macOS systems. The behavior may also occur during legitimate development, installation, automation, or enterprise software workflows.
Detection logic
Detection requirements
- Platform
- ContainersESXiIaaSIdentity ProviderLinuxmacOSNetwork DevicesOffice SuiteSaaSWindows
The rule states no platform. This is derived from the ATT&CK technique it maps to.
- Log source category
- cisco_network_visibility_module_flow_data
Known benign triggers
- Legitimate workflows may launch Unix command interpreters from browser contexts, including developer tooling, software installers, SSO helpers, browser extensions, and automation wrappers. Tuning may be required for approved applications, users, and destinations.
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 |
|---|---|
| attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0002/ | 8 |
| attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1059/ | 7from 2 sources |
| redcanary.com/threat-detection-report/threats/socgholish/ | 3from 2 sources |
From the source
- At source
- Open at source
- Upstream identifier
- 6f2de8d1-9a2d-4c7a-9b8c-3b8a2f7d0e41
- Tagged by the source as
- Cisco Network Visibility Module AnalyticsEndpointendpointSplunk 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
- Oct 6, 2026
- Version
- 2