Suspicious Cron Persistence File Created in System Cron Directories

PremiumReviewedSigma · Low · v1
Product
linux
Category
file_event
Author
HuntRule
Published
2026-04-30
Updated
2026-08-28

ATT&CK techniques

Execution → Priv Esc
  1. Recon

  2. Resource Dev

  3. Initial Access

  4. Execution

  5. Persistence

  6. Defense Evasion

  7. Cred Access

  8. Discovery

  9. Lateral Movement

  10. Collection

  11. C2

  12. Exfiltration

  13. Impact

What it detects

This rule detects creation of a file named 0anacron inside the system cron directories which the DripDropper Linux malware uses to masquerade as a trusted periodic job and establish scheduled task persistence. Placing a script among legitimate cron jobs lets the malware re execute and survive reboots. Detecting this file write surfaces persistence establishment on compromised Linux hosts.

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Suspicious Cron Persistence File Creation in System Cron Directories (via file_event)
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Suspicious Cron Persistence File Created in System Cron Directories
Pivot detection · T1053.003 · 9 related

Detection content is published as a reviewed draft. Tune thresholds and exclusions against your own telemetry before enabling this rule for alerting.