Linux Process Creation: File Deletion via rm, shred, or unlink

ATT&CK techniques

Defense Evasion

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
- T1070.004File Deletion
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

Identifies Linux processes executed with paths ending in /rm, /shred, or /unlink, indicating attempts to delete files. File deletion is a common attacker tactic to remove artifacts and reduce evidence of intrusion activity. The rule relies on process creation telemetry that includes the executing image path.

Reporting behind it

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Linux Process Creation: File Deletion via rm, shred, or unlink

Pivot detection · T1070.004 · 9 related

Changelog

v3

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-file-deletion-via-rm-shred-or-unlink-process-creation-30aed7b6

title: "Linux Process Creation: File Deletion via rm, shred, or unlink"
id: 9d3d2194-b597-4298-a94a-5fa736ed7799
status: stable
description: Identifies Linux processes executed with paths ending in /rm, /shred, or /unlink, indicating attempts to delete files. File deletion is a common attacker tactic to remove artifacts and reduce evidence of intrusion activity. The rule relies on process creation telemetry that includes the executing image path.
references:
  - https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/f339e7da7d05f6057fdfcdd3742bfcf365fee2a9/atomics/T1070.004/T1070.004.md
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/linux/process_creation/proc_creation_lnx_file_deletion.yml
author: Ömer Günal, oscd.community, Huntrule Team
date: 2020-10-07
modified: 2022-09-15
tags:
  - attack.stealth
  - attack.t1070.004
logsource:
  product: linux
  category: process_creation
detection:
  selection:
    Image|endswith:
      - /rm
      - /shred
      - /unlink
  condition: selection
falsepositives:
  - Legitimate administration activities
level: informational
license: DRL-1.1
related:
  - id: 30aed7b6-d2c1-4eaf-9382-b6bc43e50c57
    type: derived

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