huntrule

Linux: Detect changes to fs.suid_dumpable enabling core dumps for SUID processes

Flags Linux processes writing fs.suid_dumpable to enable SUID core dumps, which can expose privileged process memory.

FreeReviewedSigma · Medium · v5
Product
linux
Category
process_creation
Author
Milad Cheraghi (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2026-04-28
Updated
2026-07-31
AnalysisDetection

ATT&CK techniques

Priv Esc → Cred Access

  1. Recon

  2. Resource Dev

  3. Initial Access

  4. Execution

  5. Persistence

  6. Priv Esc

  7. Defense Evasion

  8. Cred Access

  9. Discovery

  10. Lateral Movement

  11. Collection

  12. C2

  13. Exfiltration

  14. Impact

What it detects

This rule identifies attempts to enable core dumps for SUID processes by changing /proc/sys/fs/suid_dumpable via sysctl calls or shell redirection (echo 1/2). Attackers may use this to capture memory from elevated SUID binaries, potentially exposing sensitive data like passwords, cryptographic keys, or other secrets. It relies on process creation telemetry where the command line shows sysctl usage containing fs.suid_dumpable= or echo of values redirected to /proc/sys/fs/suid_dumpable.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1003 — drag to rearrange
Malicious NTDS Credential Dump via Ntdsutil IFM Snapshot (via process_creation)
Suspicious Mimilite Credential Dumper Execution Writing KB-Named Output
Malicious InternalMonologue NTLM Downgrade Execution via process_creation
Malicious Sapphire Sleet TCC Privacy Database Tampering via sqlite3 (via process_creation)
Suspicious storagekitd Spawning Third-Party Filesystem Binary from Library Filesystems (via process_creation)
Malicious Switch User to Rogue Root-Equivalent Account troot (via process_creation)
Suspicious Sang Loader Execution with Install or PassUAC Arguments
Suspicious Modification of msDS-KeyCredentialLink for Shadow Credential Abuse
Possible OxideHarvest Stealer Execution via Combined Short Flag Set
Linux: Detect changes to fs.suid_dumpable enabling core dumps for SUID processes
Pivot detection · T1003 · 9 related

Changelog

v5
  1. v5
    Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
  2. v4
    Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
  3. v3
    Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
  4. v2
    Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
  5. 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.