huntrule

Linux Process Execution via Vim/Vi/Rvim/Vimdiff Shell and Script Escapes

Detects suspicious Vim/vi/vimdiff/rvim invocations that include Ex commands to run shell/proxy actions.

FreeReviewedSigma · High · v2
Product
linux
Category
process_creation
Author
Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems), Luc Génaux (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2022-12-28
Updated
2026-07-31
AnalysisDetection

ATT&CK techniques

Execution → 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 command line indicates invoking vi/vim and related binaries (including rvim and vimdiff) along with arguments suggesting shell/proxy command execution. It also matches common ex-mode escape patterns that can be used to spawn shells or run embedded commands (e.g., ex commands that execute system commands or script engines). Such activity matters because it can enable unauthorized command execution or escape restricted environments; telemetry relies on process creation events with accurate Image and CommandLine fields.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1059 — drag to rearrange
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Suspicious VMware Guest Operation Output Staging in vmware-system Temp Directory (via file_event)
Malicious Command Shell Spawned by SQL Server via Process Creation (via process_creation)
Suspicious Script Interpreter Spawned by Excel via DarkGate Lure
Suspicious AutoHotkey Script Execution from User Writable Path by DarkGate
Possible Nagios XI Path Traversal via Graphtemplates Directory Parameter
Suspicious Credential String Enumeration via findstr to Temp Directory
Malicious China Chopper Web Shell Command Pattern in IIS Worker Process (via process_creation)
Malicious AutoHotKey Runner AutoNotify Executing AHKBot Looper Script (via process_creation)
Linux Process Execution via Vim/Vi/Rvim/Vimdiff Shell and Script Escapes
Pivot detection · T1059 · 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.