huntrule

Linux sudoers file access via text-based utilities (cat/grep/head/etc.)

Alerts on Linux process executions that use common text tools to access /etc/sudoers content.

FreeReviewedSigma · Medium · v2
Product
linux
Category
process_creation
Author
Florian Roth (Nextron Systems) (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2022-06-20
Updated
2026-07-31
AnalysisDetection

ATT&CK techniques

Recon

  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 execution of common text-viewing or pattern-matching utilities whose command lines reference /etc/sudoers. Attackers may use this to enumerate accounts with sudo privileges during reconnaissance. It relies on Linux process creation telemetry, matching the executable name suffix and the presence of the /etc/sudoers path in the command line.

Reporting behind it

Related detections2 linkedT1592.004 — drag to rearrange
Linux Process Recon: Find SUID/htpasswd Files via Command-Line Patterns
Linux Process Command-Line Printing of Shell History Files
Linux sudoers file access via text-based utilities (cat/grep/head/etc.)
Pivot detection · T1592.004 · 2 related

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.