Obfuscated Base64-Decoded Payload Piped to a Shell (via process_creation)

ATT&CK techniques

Execution → Defense Evasion

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
- T1059.004Unix Shell
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
- T1140Deobfuscate/Decode Files or Information
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule detects a base64 decode operation piped directly into bash, sh or eval, a one-liner adversaries use to reconstruct and immediately run an obfuscated payload on Linux. Base64 deobfuscation into a shell is a defense-evasion and execution technique in the Red Canary Threat Detection Report. Detecting the decode-and-execute chain surfaces hidden command execution as it runs.

Reporting behind it

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Obfuscated Base64-Decoded Payload Piped to a Shell (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.

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