Possible Linux Setuid Capability Set on a Binary through Setcap Utility (via process_creation)

title: Possible Linux Setuid Capability Set on a Binary through Setcap Utility (via process_creation)
id: 83bf718e-dbf7-55ae-95cb-4318f6f88a75
status: stable
description: This rule detects the use of the 'setcap' utility to set the 'setuid' capability (cap_setuid) on a binary file. This capability enables a non privileged process to make arbitrary manipulations of user IDs (UIDs), including setting its current UID to a value that would otherwise be restricted (i.e. UID 0, the root user). This behavior can be used by threat actors to backdoor a binary to escalate privileges again in the future if needed.
references:
    - https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1554/
    - https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1548/
    - https://man7.org/linux/man-pages/man8/setcap.8.html
    - https://dfir.ch/posts/linux_capabilities/
    - https://juggernaut-sec.com/capabilities/#cap_setuid
author: Huntrule Team
date: 2026-06-30
tags:
    - attack.privilege-escalation
    - attack.persistence
    - attack.t1548
    - attack.t1554
logsource:
    product: linux
    category: process_creation
detection:
    selection:
        Image|endswith: '/setcap'
        CommandLine|contains: 'cap_setuid'
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: low