huntrule

Linux Process Creating xterm Reverse Shell Display Tunneling

Alerts on xterm processes started with -display and display endpoint ":1" consistent with a reverse shell tunnel.

FreeReviewedSigma · Medium · v2
Product
linux
Category
process_creation
Author
@d4ns4n_ (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2023-04-24
Updated
2026-07-31
AnalysisDetection

ATT&CK techniques

Execution

  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 flags Linux process executions where the binary path or name contains "xterm" and the command line includes "-display" with a target ending in ":1". Attackers may use xterm with display forwarding/tunneling to establish or interact with a remote shell pathway. The detection relies on process creation telemetry, specifically the Image field and the full CommandLine content.

Reporting behind it

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Changelog

v2
  1. v2
    Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
  2. 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.