Root Network Connection via GDB CAP_SYS_PTRACEedit
Identifies instances where GDB (granted the CAP_SYS_PTRACE capability) is executed, after which an outbound network connection is initiated by UID/GID 0 (root). In Linux, the CAP_SYS_PTRACE capability grants a process the ability to use the ptrace system call, which is typically used for debugging and allows the process to trace and control other processes. Attackers may leverage this capability to hook and inject into a process that is running with root permissions in order to execute shell code and gain a reverse shell with root privileges.
Rule type: eql
Rule indices:
- logs-endpoint.events.*
Severity: medium
Risk score: 47
Runs every: 5m
Searches indices from: now-9m (Date Math format, see also Additional look-back time)
Maximum alerts per execution: 100
References: None
Tags:
- Domain: Endpoint
- OS: Linux
- Use Case: Threat Detection
- Tactic: Privilege Escalation
- Tactic: Execution
- Tactic: Command and Control
- Data Source: Elastic Defend
Version: 1
Rule authors:
- Elastic
Rule license: Elastic License v2
Rule queryedit
sequence by host.id, process.entry_leader.entity_id with maxspan=30s [process where host.os.type == "linux" and event.action == "exec" and event.type == "start" and process.name == "gdb" and (process.thread.capabilities.effective : "CAP_SYS_PTRACE" or process.thread.capabilities.permitted : "CAP_SYS_PTRACE") and user.id != "0"] [network where host.os.type == "linux" and event.action == "connection_attempted" and event.type == "start" and process.name != null and user.id == "0"]
Framework: MITRE ATT&CKTM
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Tactic:
- Name: Privilege Escalation
- ID: TA0004
- Reference URL: https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0004/
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Technique:
- Name: Process Injection
- ID: T1055
- Reference URL: https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1055/
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Sub-technique:
- Name: Ptrace System Calls
- ID: T1055.008
- Reference URL: https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1055/008/
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Technique:
- Name: Exploitation for Privilege Escalation
- ID: T1068
- Reference URL: https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1068/
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Tactic:
- Name: Execution
- ID: TA0002
- Reference URL: https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0002/
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Technique:
- Name: Command and Scripting Interpreter
- ID: T1059
- Reference URL: https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1059/
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Sub-technique:
- Name: Unix Shell
- ID: T1059.004
- Reference URL: https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1059/004/
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Tactic:
- Name: Command and Control
- ID: TA0011
- Reference URL: https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0011/
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Technique:
- Name: Application Layer Protocol
- ID: T1071
- Reference URL: https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1071/