Linux dd Process Memory Map Overwrite for Code Injection (proc/mem)
Alerts when dd is used to write to /proc/<pid>/mem, suggesting potential Linux process code injection.
- Product
- linux
- Category
- process_creation
- Author
- Joseph Kamau (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
- Published
- 2023-12-01
- Updated
- 2026-07-31
ATT&CK techniques
Priv Esc → Defense EvasionRecon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact
What it detects
This rule identifies potential process code injection on Linux by spotting use of the dd utility with arguments consistent with overwriting another process’s memory via /proc/<pid>/mem. Attackers can leverage this pattern to modify a target process without the same visibility as ptrace-based approaches, making it relevant for stealth and privilege-focused scenarios. Detection relies on process creation telemetry that includes the executed Image path and CommandLine arguments containing of=, /proc/, and /mem.
Reporting behind it
- aon.comhttps://www.aon.com/cyber-solutions/aon_cyber_labs/linux-based-inter-process-code-injection-without-ptrace2/
- github.comhttps://github.com/AonCyberLabs/Cexigua/blob/34d338620afae4c6335ba8d8d499e1d7d3d5d7b5/overwrite.sh
- github.comhttps://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/linux/process_creation/proc_creation_lnx_dd_process_injection.yml
Changelog
v3- v3Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
- v2Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
- v1No changelog recorded for this version.2026-07-30
Detection content is published as a reviewed draft. Tune thresholds and exclusions against your own telemetry before enabling this rule for alerting.
title: Linux dd Process Memory Map Overwrite for Code Injection (proc/mem)
id: d594c012-82ef-4cee-bf57-00f3a076fac2
status: test
description: This rule identifies potential process code injection on Linux by spotting use of the dd utility with arguments consistent with overwriting another process’s memory via /proc/<pid>/mem. Attackers can leverage this pattern to modify a target process without the same visibility as ptrace-based approaches, making it relevant for stealth and privilege-focused scenarios. Detection relies on process creation telemetry that includes the executed Image path and CommandLine arguments containing of=, /proc/, and /mem.
references:
- https://www.aon.com/cyber-solutions/aon_cyber_labs/linux-based-inter-process-code-injection-without-ptrace2/
- https://github.com/AonCyberLabs/Cexigua/blob/34d338620afae4c6335ba8d8d499e1d7d3d5d7b5/overwrite.sh
- https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/linux/process_creation/proc_creation_lnx_dd_process_injection.yml
author: Joseph Kamau, Huntrule Team
date: 2023-12-01
tags:
- attack.privilege-escalation
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1055.009
logsource:
product: linux
category: process_creation
detection:
selection:
Image|endswith: /dd
CommandLine|contains|all:
- of=
- /proc/
- /mem
condition: selection
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: medium
license: DRL-1.1
related:
- id: 4cad6c64-d6df-42d6-8dae-eb78defdc415
type: derived