Malicious PostgreSQL COPY FROM PROGRAM Command Execution via Managed Cloud Database (via process_creation)

PremiumReviewedSigma · High · v1
Product
linux
Category
process_creation
Author
HuntRule
Published
2026-08-02
Updated
2026-08-28

ATT&CK techniques

Initial Access → Execution
  1. Recon

  2. Resource Dev

  3. Persistence

  4. Priv Esc

  5. Defense Evasion

  6. Cred Access

  7. Discovery

  8. Lateral Movement

  9. Collection

  10. C2

  11. Exfiltration

  12. Impact

What it detects

This rule detects the PostgreSQL server process spawning a shell or command utility, the primitive Wiz Research abused through COPY FROM PROGRAM in GCP Cloud SQL and Azure Database for PostgreSQL to run operating-system commands and open reverse shells. Since the database engine should not launch interpreters, such child processes indicate exploitation of database privileges for code execution and container escape.

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Malicious PostgreSQL COPY FROM PROGRAM Command Execution via Managed Cloud Database (via process_creation)
Pivot detection · T1059.004 · 9 related

Detection content is published as a reviewed draft. Tune thresholds and exclusions against your own telemetry before enabling this rule for alerting.