Linux doas.conf Creation via /etc/doas.conf File Events

Alerts when /etc/doas.conf is created on a Linux host.

FreeReviewedSigma · Medium · v3

Product: linux
Category: file_event
Author: Sittikorn S, Teoderick Contreras (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published: 2022-01-20
Updated: 2026-07-31

ATT&CK techniques

Priv Esc → Defense Evasion

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
Persistence
Priv Esc
- T1548Abuse Elevation Control Mechanism
Defense Evasion
- T1548Abuse Elevation Control Mechanism
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule identifies the creation of the /etc/doas.conf file on Linux systems. Attackers may use doas configuration to enable privileged command execution without prompting, which can facilitate privilege escalation and persistence. Detection relies on Linux file creation telemetry that includes the target filename and matches paths ending in /etc/doas.conf.

Reporting behind it

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Linux doas.conf Creation via /etc/doas.conf File Events

Pivot detection · T1548 · 9 related

Changelog

v3
Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
v2
Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
v1
No 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.

linux-doas-conf-file-creation-00eee2a5

title: Linux doas.conf Creation via /etc/doas.conf File Events
id: 6beaf34c-b15a-434e-9fc8-186357065ccf
status: stable
description: This rule identifies the creation of the /etc/doas.conf file on Linux systems. Attackers may use doas configuration to enable privileged command execution without prompting, which can facilitate privilege escalation and persistence. Detection relies on Linux file creation telemetry that includes the target filename and matches paths ending in /etc/doas.conf.
references:
  - https://research.splunk.com/endpoint/linux_doas_conf_file_creation/
  - https://www.makeuseof.com/how-to-install-and-use-doas/
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/linux/file_event/file_event_lnx_doas_conf_creation.yml
author: Sittikorn S, Teoderick Contreras, Huntrule Team
date: 2022-01-20
modified: 2022-12-31
tags:
  - attack.privilege-escalation
  - attack.t1548
logsource:
  product: linux
  category: file_event
detection:
  selection:
    TargetFilename|endswith: /etc/doas.conf
  condition: selection
falsepositives:
  - Unlikely
level: medium
license: DRL-1.1
related:
  - id: 00eee2a5-fdb0-4746-a21d-e43fbdea5681
    type: derived

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