Linux Package Installation via apt/yum/rpm/dpkg with Networking Tools Keywords
Alerts when apt/yum/rpm/dpkg install commands include reconnaissance or proxy tool keywords.
- Product
- linux
- Category
- process_creation
- Author
- Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems) (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
- Published
- 2023-01-03
- Updated
- 2026-07-31
ATT&CK techniques
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 flags Linux process executions of package installation utilities (apt/apt-get, yum, rpm, dpkg) when the command line also contains keywords associated with common networking and recon tools (e.g., nmap, netcat, wireshark/tshark, proxychains, socat). Attackers often install these utilities to facilitate discovery, probing, or traffic inspection during intrusion. It relies on Linux process creation telemetry, including the executable path (Image ends with apt/apt-get/yum/rpm/dpkg) and command-line content containing both the install action and the listed keywords.
Reporting behind it
Changelog
v2- 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 Package Installation via apt/yum/rpm/dpkg with Networking Tools Keywords
id: 19dafc75-9fa2-4203-aac0-12a028b8da43
status: test
description: This rule flags Linux process executions of package installation utilities (apt/apt-get, yum, rpm, dpkg) when the command line also contains keywords associated with common networking and recon tools (e.g., nmap, netcat, wireshark/tshark, proxychains, socat). Attackers often install these utilities to facilitate discovery, probing, or traffic inspection during intrusion. It relies on Linux process creation telemetry, including the executable path (Image ends with apt/apt-get/yum/rpm/dpkg) and command-line content containing both the install action and the listed keywords.
references:
- https://gist.githubusercontent.com/MichaelKoczwara/12faba9c061c12b5814b711166de8c2f/raw/e2068486692897b620c25fde1ea258c8218fe3d3/history.txt
- https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/linux/process_creation/proc_creation_lnx_install_suspicious_packages.yml
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems), Huntrule Team
date: 2023-01-03
modified: 2026-01-01
tags:
- attack.defense-impairment
- attack.t1553.004
logsource:
product: linux
category: process_creation
detection:
selection_tool_apt:
Image|endswith:
- /apt
- /apt-get
CommandLine|contains: install
selection_tool_yum:
Image|endswith: /yum
CommandLine|contains:
- localinstall
- install
selection_tool_rpm:
Image|endswith: /rpm
CommandLine|contains: -i
selection_tool_dpkg:
Image|endswith: /dpkg
CommandLine|contains:
- --install
- -i
selection_keyword:
CommandLine|contains:
- nmap
- " nc"
- netcat
- wireshark
- tshark
- openconnect
- proxychains
- socat
condition: 1 of selection_tool_* and selection_keyword
falsepositives:
- Legitimate administration activities
level: medium
license: DRL-1.1
related:
- id: 700fb7e8-2981-401c-8430-be58e189e741
type: derived