Suspicious AWS EC2 RunInstances of Large Compute-Optimized Instance for Cryptomining

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 EC2 RunInstances launching oversized compute-optimized instance types such as c5a.24xlarge, matching the resource hijacking behavior of exposed IAM key operators tracked by Unit 42. Adversaries spin up high-core instances to maximize cryptomining throughput which drives sudden cloud spend and indicates account compromise.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1496 — drag to rearrange

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Suspicious XMRig Cryptominer Execution with Pool URL by StaryDobry

Suspicious SteelFox Service Binary Launched by services.exe

Suspicious Cryptomining Shell Script Execution sex.sh or miner.sh on Linux (via process_creation)

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

Malicious XMRig GhostRider Coinminer Execution with Mining Pool Arguments

Suspicious Sleep and Hibernate Disabled via Powercfg for Mining (via process_creation)

Suspicious AWS EC2 RunInstances of Large Compute-Optimized Instance for Cryptomining

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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