Suspicious GitHub Actions Runner In Hidden Directory via Shell (via process_creation)

ATT&CK techniques

Persistence → Defense Evasion

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
Persistence
- T1543Create or Modify System Process
Priv Esc
- T1543Create or Modify System Process
Defense Evasion
- T1036Masquerading
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule detects a GitHub Actions runner script executing from a hidden dev-env directory on Linux hosts. Threat actors install self-hosted runners into concealed dotfile directories to blend the backdoor into normal developer tooling. Runner scripts executing from hidden directories indicate an attempt to disguise persistent access.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1036 — drag to rearrange

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Malicious PXA Stealer Archive Extraction via Renamed WinRAR images.png (via process_creation)

Malicious NimDoor Loader Persistence via Masqueraded Google Updater (via file_event)

Suspicious Rename of Double-Extension PowerShell Script (via process_creation)

Suspicious GitHub Actions Runner In Hidden Directory via Shell (via process_creation)

Pivot detection · T1036 · 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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