Linux Process Execution of TruffleHog with Secret-Scanning Platforms

Flags Linux execution of TruffleHog when command lines reference common source platforms and cloud targets.

FreeReviewedSigma · Medium · v2
Product
linux
Category
process_creation
Author
Swachchhanda Shrawan Poudel (Nextron Systems) (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2025-09-24
Updated
2026-07-31
title: Linux Process Execution of TruffleHog with Secret-Scanning Platforms
id: 6bdd99b5-0db6-49cf-90b5-a3e71153bb0e
related:
  - id: 44030449-b0df-4c94-aae1-502359ab28ee
    type: similar
  - id: d7a650c4-226c-451e-948f-cc490db506aa
    type: derived
status: experimental
description: This rule flags Linux process execution where the binary/image path ends with /trufflehog and the command line indicates secret-scanning targets such as Git/GitHub, Jira, Slack, Confluence, SharePoint, or cloud storage (s3, gcs). Attackers may use TruffleHog to discover exposed credentials or sensitive data across common code repositories and collaboration platforms. It relies on Linux process creation telemetry, matching the executable name and specific command-line substrings related to platform targets and optional verified results output.
references:
  - https://github.com/trufflesecurity/trufflehog
  - https://www.getsafety.com/blog-posts/shai-hulud-npm-attack
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/linux/process_creation/proc_creation_lnx_pua_trufflehog.yml
author: Swachchhanda Shrawan Poudel (Nextron Systems), Huntrule Team
date: 2025-09-24
tags:
  - attack.discovery
  - attack.credential-access
  - attack.t1083
  - attack.t1552.001
logsource:
  category: process_creation
  product: linux
detection:
  selection_img:
    Image|endswith: /trufflehog
  selection_cli_platform:
    CommandLine|contains:
      - " docker --image "
      - " Git "
      - " GitHub "
      - " Jira "
      - " Slack "
      - " Confluence "
      - " SharePoint "
      - " s3 "
      - " gcs "
  selection_cli_verified:
    CommandLine|contains: " --results=verified"
  condition: selection_img or all of selection_cli_*
falsepositives:
  - Legitimate use of TruffleHog by security teams or developers.
level: medium
license: DRL-1.1