huntrule

Linux Remote System Discovery via arp and ping Process Execution

Flags Linux arp or ping commands with LAN/loopback/link-local IP range arguments consistent with remote host discovery.

FreeReviewedSigma · Low · v2
Product
linux
Category
process_creation
Author
Alejandro Ortuno, oscd.community (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2020-10-22
Updated
2026-07-31
AnalysisDetection

ATT&CK techniques

Discovery

  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 name ends with /arp using the '-a' argument, or where a ping binary ends with /ping and the command line contains common private or local IP ranges. Such enumeration helps an attacker identify reachable hosts and expand targeting during discovery and lateral movement preparation. Telemetry relies on Linux process creation events including the executable path and command-line arguments.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1018 — drag to rearrange
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Malicious DNS Hosts File Accessed via Network Share (via security)
Suspicious Active Directory Subnet Enumeration via ADFind Subnets Query (via process_creation)
Suspicious Remote Connection to ADWS Port 9389 via security
Uncommon Domain Trust Discovery via Nltest (via process_creation)
Suspicious AdFind Active Directory Reconnaissance Tool Execution (via process_creation)
Suspicious Domain Controller and Trust Enumeration via Nltest
Suspicious Active Directory Enumeration via ADWS PowerShell Cmdlets via ps_script
Suspicious Domain Controller Discovery via nltest
Linux Remote System Discovery via arp and ping Process Execution
Pivot detection · T1018 · 9 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.