Linux Remote File Copy via scp, rsync, or sftp
Flags Linux command lines using scp/rsync/sftp with remote-target style arguments containing “@” and “:”.
- Product
- linux
- Author
- Ömer Günal (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
- Published
- 2020-06-18
- Updated
- 2026-07-31
ATT&CK techniques
C2Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
Exfiltration
Impact
What it detects
This rule identifies Linux activity consistent with remote file transfers using scp, rsync, or sftp. Attackers and admins may use these tools to stage, move, or exfiltrate files across systems during command-and-control or lateral movement. It relies on process command-line telemetry matching tool names along with characters commonly present in remote target specifications ("@" and ":").
Reporting behind it
Changelog
v3- v3Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
- v2Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
- v1No 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.
title: Linux Remote File Copy via scp, rsync, or sftp
id: 8560ab05-f44b-4165-b32e-0a6206e6ba75
status: stable
description: This rule identifies Linux activity consistent with remote file transfers using scp, rsync, or sftp. Attackers and admins may use these tools to stage, move, or exfiltrate files across systems during command-and-control or lateral movement. It relies on process command-line telemetry matching tool names along with characters commonly present in remote target specifications ("@" and ":").
references:
- https://www.cisa.gov/stopransomware/ransomware-guide
- https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/linux/builtin/lnx_file_copy.yml
author: Ömer Günal, Huntrule Team
date: 2020-06-18
tags:
- attack.command-and-control
- attack.lateral-movement
- attack.t1105
logsource:
product: linux
detection:
tools:
- "scp "
- "rsync "
- "sftp "
filter:
- "@"
- ":"
condition: tools and filter
falsepositives:
- Legitimate administration activities
level: low
license: DRL-1.1
related:
- id: 7a14080d-a048-4de8-ae58-604ce58a795b
type: derived