Possible Execution of Linux Network Service Scanning Utilities (via process_creation)

title: Possible Execution of Linux Network Service Scanning Utilities (via process_creation)
id: a0e44b92-8f6b-5aee-9d0b-738855326c56
status: stable
description: This rule detects execution of network scanning and reconnaisance tools. These tools can be used for the enumeration of local or remote network services for example.
references:
    - https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1046/
    - https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/f339e7da7d05f6057fdfcdd3742bfcf365fee2a9/atomics/T1046/T1046.md
    - https://github.com/projectdiscovery/naabu
    - https://github.com/Tib3rius/AutoRecon
author: Huntrule Team
date: 2026-07-14
tags:
    - attack.discovery
    - attack.t1046
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: linux
detection:
    selection_netcat:
        Image|endswith:
            - '/nc'
            - '/ncat'
            - '/netcat'
            - '/socat'
    selection_network_scanning_tools:
        Image|endswith:
            - '/autorecon'
            - '/hping'
            - '/hping2'
            - '/hping3'
            - '/naabu'
            - '/nmap'
            - '/nping'
            - '/telnet'
            - '/zenmap'
    filter_main_netcat_listen_flag:
        CommandLine|contains:
            - ' --listen '
            - ' -l '
    condition: (selection_netcat and not filter_main_netcat_listen_flag) or selection_network_scanning_tools
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: low