Malicious Houken PHP Webshell Written into Ivanti CSA Webroot via Shell Redirection (via process_creation)
- Product
- linux
- Category
- process_creation
- Author
- HuntRule
- Published
- 2026-09-02
- Updated
- 2026-09-02
ATT&CK techniques
PersistenceRecon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact
What it detects
This rule detects a shell dropping a PHP webshell into the Ivanti Cloud Service Appliance LANDesk broker webroot by echoing PHP code that invokes system() or eval() on request parameters, the initial-access behavior used by the Houken intrusion set after exploiting Ivanti CSA zero-days. Adversaries leverage this to obtain a persistent command channel on the appliance, making early detection critical for catching perimeter compromise before rootkit deployment and lateral movement.
Reporting behind it
Detection content is published as a reviewed draft. Tune thresholds and exclusions against your own telemetry before enabling this rule for alerting.
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