Linux process attempts to delete log files using rm, rmdir, shred, or unlink

Flags Linux attempts to remove or destroy log files via rm/rmdir/shred/unlink when /var/log or mail spool paths are referenced.

FreeReviewedSigma · Medium · v3

Product: linux
Category: process_creation
Author: Ömer Günal, oscd.community (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published: 2020-10-07
Updated: 2026-07-31

Analysis Detection

ATT&CK techniques

Recon
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 where the binary name ends with rm, rmdir, shred, or unlink and the command line includes references to /var/log or /var/spool/mail. Clearing or destroying logs can help attackers reduce forensic evidence after malicious activity. It relies on process creation telemetry (process image path and command line content) to identify likely log-targeting delete operations, while excluding a couple of specific rm -f sysstat and dmesg paths.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1685.006 — drag to rearrange

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Linux auditd: Clear kernel ring buffer via syslog syscall (action 5/4/6)

Linux Syslog Clearing or Removal Using System Utilities

macOS Host Indicator Removal via rm/unlink/shred of Local Log Paths

Linux process attempts to delete log files using rm, rmdir, shred, or unlink

Pivot detection · T1685.006 · 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-process-activity-clearing-logs-with-rm-rmdir-shred-or-unlink-targeting-var-80915f59

title: Linux process attempts to delete log files using rm, rmdir, shred, or unlink
id: 0617044c-186e-467e-9f1a-ad5df9f1591b
status: stable
description: This rule flags Linux process executions where the binary name ends with rm, rmdir, shred, or unlink and the command line includes references to /var/log or /var/spool/mail. Clearing or destroying logs can help attackers reduce forensic evidence after malicious activity. It relies on process creation telemetry (process image path and command line content) to identify likely log-targeting delete operations, while excluding a couple of specific rm -f sysstat and dmesg paths.
references:
  - https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/f339e7da7d05f6057fdfcdd3742bfcf365fee2a9/atomics/T1070.002/T1070.002.md
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/linux/process_creation/proc_creation_lnx_clear_logs.yml
author: Ömer Günal, oscd.community, Huntrule Team
date: 2020-10-07
modified: 2026-03-18
tags:
  - attack.defense-impairment
  - attack.t1685.006
logsource:
  product: linux
  category: process_creation
detection:
  selection:
    Image|endswith:
      - /rm
      - /rmdir
      - /shred
      - /unlink
    CommandLine|contains:
      - /var/log
      - /var/spool/mail
  filter_main_legit_systat:
    Image|endswith: /rm
    CommandLine|startswith: rm -f /var/log/sysstat/
  filter_main_dmseg:
    Image|endswith: /rm
    CommandLine|startswith: rm -f -- /var/log//dmesg
  condition: selection and not 1 of filter_main_*
falsepositives:
  - Legitimate administration activities
level: medium
license: DRL-1.1
related:
  - id: 80915f59-9b56-4616-9de0-fd0dea6c12fe
    type: derived

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