Malicious XMRig Cryptominer Execution via Custom Command-Line Flags (via process_creation)

ATT&CK techniques

Impact

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact
- T1496Resource Hijacking

What it detects

This rule detects a Linux process launched with the distinctive custom flag combination used by the covert XMRig cryptominer variant reported by Group-IB. The campaign runs a fileless self-unlinking miner binary to hijack host resources for cryptomining. Detecting the mining flag combination early exposes resource-hijacking activity that is otherwise hidden behind a benign or deleted process image.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1496 — drag to rearrange

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Malicious XMRig Cryptominer Connecting To C3Pool Stratum Pool

Malicious Hadooken Cryptominer Execution via Masqueraded Binaries (via process_creation)

Suspicious Lucifer Botnet Mining Pool Domain Resolution (via dns_query)

Suspicious Proxyjacking Service Resolution Observed in perfctl Campaign (via dns_query)

Malicious PureMiner Persistence Executable in AppData HResult Folder

Suspicious T-Rex CoinMiner Binaries in Windows NT Program Files Folder (via file_event)

Malicious XMRig Cryptominer Execution via Custom Command-Line Flags (via process_creation)

Pivot detection · T1496 · 9 related

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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