Suspicious Execution From var tmp Masquerading as apt via GRIDTIDE

ATT&CK techniques

Execution → Defense Evasion

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
- T1059.004Unix Shell
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
- T1036.005Match Legitimate Resource Name or Location
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule detects a binary named xapt executing from the var tmp directory as used by the GRIDTIDE espionage campaign to masquerade as the legitimate apt package manager. Attackers run this payload with root privileges to spawn shells and establish backdoor access.

Reporting behind it

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Suspicious Execution From var tmp Masquerading as apt via GRIDTIDE

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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