Malicious Web Server Spawning Command Shell and curl Download via Webshell

PremiumReviewedSigma · High · v1
Product
windows
Category
process_creation
Author
HuntRule
Published
2026-09-29
Updated
2026-09-29

ATT&CK techniques

Persistence → C2
  1. Recon

  2. Resource Dev

  3. Initial Access

  4. Execution

  5. Priv Esc

  6. Defense Evasion

  7. Cred Access

  8. Discovery

  9. Lateral Movement

  10. Collection

  11. Exfiltration

  12. Impact

What it detects

This rule detects an Apache httpd web server process spawning a command shell or curl download, matching AntSword webshell activity in the Nezha China-nexus intrusion set. The webserver context is abused to execute commands and pull additional tooling onto the host. Legitimate web servers do not launch interactive shells or file downloaders, making this a strong webshell indicator.

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Pivot detection · T1105 · 9 related

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