Linux File Creation In System Generator Directory

 Original Source: [splunk source]
Name:Linux File Creation In System Generator Directory
id:06c23568-e05b-4fff-95cd-8b0303b6d032
version:1
date:None
author:Raven Tait, Splunk
status:production
type:Anomaly
Description:The following analytic detects potential persistence using a systemd generator on Linux, which involves creating a malicious script or binary that is typically executed during the system's boot process. Systemd generators are typically placed in directories like /lib/systemd/system-generators/, where they are run early in the boot sequence to dynamically generate or modify unit files that control system services. By placing a custom generator in this directory, an attacker can ensure their code is executed each time the system starts, allowing them to maintain access or control even after reboots.
Data_source:
  • -Sysmon for Linux EventID 11
search:| tstats `security_content_summariesonly`
count min(_time) as firstTime
max(_time) as lastTime

from datamodel=Endpoint.Filesystem where

Filesystem.action IN ("created", "modified")
Filesystem.file_path="*/lib/systemd/system-generators/*"

by Filesystem.file_path Filesystem.file_name Filesystem.user Filesystem.dest
Filesystem.action Filesystem.process_guid Filesystem.process_id

| `drop_dm_object_name(Filesystem)`
| `security_content_ctime(firstTime)`
| `security_content_ctime(lastTime)`
| `linux_file_creation_in_system_generator_directory_filter`


how_to_implement:The detection is based on data that originates from Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) agents. These agents are designed to provide security-related telemetry from the endpoints where the agent is installed. To implement this search, you must ingest logs that contain file creation events including the file path and user context. These logs must be processed using the appropriate Splunk Technology Add-ons that are specific to the EDR product. The logs must also be mapped to the `Filesystem` node of the `Endpoint` data model. Use the Splunk Common Information Model (CIM) to normalize the field names and speed up the data modeling process.
known_false_positives:Legitimate system administrators or software packages may place custom generators in systemd generator directories during system configuration or application deployment. Filter based on known software installations and verified administrative activity.
References:
  -https://github.com/Aegrah/PANIX
drilldown_searches:
 earliest_offset:'$info_min_time$'
 latest_offset:'$info_max_time$'
 name:'View the detection results for - "$user$" and "$dest$"'
 search:'%original_detection_search% | search user = "$user$" dest = "$dest$"'
 name:'View risk events for the last 7 days for - "$user$" and "$dest$"'
 search:'| from datamodel Risk.All_Risk | search normalized_risk_object IN ("$user$", "$dest$") | stats count min(_time) as firstTime max(_time) as lastTime values(search_name) as "Search Name" values(risk_message) as "Risk Message" values(analyticstories) as "Analytic Stories" values(annotations._all) as "Annotations" values(annotations.mitre_attack.mitre_tactic) as "ATT&CK Tactics" by normalized_risk_object | `security_content_ctime(firstTime)` | `security_content_ctime(lastTime)`'
 earliest_offset:'7d'
 latest_offset:'0'
analytic_story:['Linux Persistence Techniques']

asset_type:Endpoint

mitre_attack_id:['T1037.005', 'T1547']

product:['Splunk Enterprise', 'Splunk Enterprise Security', 'Splunk Cloud']

category:endpoint

security_domain:endpoint

tags:

tests:
 name:'True Positive Test'
 test_type:'unit'
 attack_data:
  data: https://media.githubusercontent.com/media/splunk/attack_data/master/datasets/attack_techniques/T1037.005/linux_persistence_via_system_generator/snapattack_linux.log
  source: Syslog:Linux-Sysmon/Operational
  sourcetype: sysmon:linux
manual_test:None

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Linux Persistence Techniques