Linux Syslog Buffer Overflow Exploit Attempt Keywords

Alerts on Linux syslog entries containing known buffer overflow/stack-smashing attempt keyword patterns.

FreeReviewedSigma · High · v3

Product: linux
Author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems) (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published: 2017-03-01
Updated: 2026-07-31

ATT&CK techniques

Priv Esc

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
Persistence
Priv Esc
- T1068Exploitation for Privilege Escalation
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule flags Linux log entries that contain specific text patterns associated with buffer overflow or stack-based code execution attempts. Such strings can indicate exploitation attempts like stack smashing or known exploit artifacts, which may precede memory corruption leading to process compromise. It relies on keyword matches in Unix system log sources to surface these patterns.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1068 — drag to rearrange

Suspicious Modification of Privileged Authentication Binaries via Kernel LPE

Malicious EDR Evasion Driver Load from AnyDesk Directory via k.sys (via image_load)

Malicious Zemana Vulnerable Driver Load for EDR Termination (via image_load)

Suspicious EDRKillShifter Vulnerable Driver Load from User Temp Directory (via image_load)

Suspicious Process Explorer Kernel Driver Dropped as PED.sys via File Creation (via file_event)

Malicious Payload Download From copy.fail Exploit Host on Linux (via process_creation)

Suspicious su Execution From Uncommon Parent Process on Linux (via process_creation)

Possible noPac sAMAccountName Spoofing via Machine Account Rename

Possible macOS TCC Bypass via mdimport Loading Custom Spotlight Importer

Linux Syslog Buffer Overflow Exploit Attempt Keywords

Pivot detection · T1068 · 9 related

Changelog

v3
Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
v2
Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
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.

linux-syslog-buffer-overflow-and-stack-smashing-attempt-keywords-18b042f0

title: Linux Syslog Buffer Overflow Exploit Attempt Keywords
id: 5377fc6a-829a-48d4-9366-7362c373ca22
status: test
description: This rule flags Linux log entries that contain specific text patterns associated with buffer overflow or stack-based code execution attempts. Such strings can indicate exploitation attempts like stack smashing or known exploit artifacts, which may precede memory corruption leading to process compromise. It relies on keyword matches in Unix system log sources to surface these patterns.
references:
  - https://github.com/ossec/ossec-hids/blob/1ecffb1b884607cb12e619f9ab3c04f530801083/etc/rules/attack_rules.xml
  - https://docs.oracle.com/cd/E19683-01/816-4883/6mb2joatd/index.html
  - https://www.giac.org/paper/gcih/266/review-ftp-protocol-cyber-defense-initiative/102802
  - https://blu.org/mhonarc/discuss/2001/04/msg00285.php
  - https://rapid7.com/blog/post/2019/02/19/stack-based-buffer-overflow-attacks-what-you-need-to-know/
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/linux/builtin/lnx_buffer_overflows.yml
author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems), Huntrule Team
date: 2017-03-01
modified: 2025-03-17
tags:
  - attack.t1068
  - attack.privilege-escalation
logsource:
  product: linux
detection:
  keywords:
    - attempt to execute code on stack by
    - 0bin0sh1
    - AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
    - stack smashing detected
  condition: keywords
falsepositives:
  - Base64 encoded data in log entries
level: high
license: DRL-1.1
related:
  - id: 18b042f0-2ecd-4b6e-9f8d-aa7a7e7de781
    type: derived

Convert

This rule as a query you can run. Uses no unlock credit.

SplunkSPL