Suspicious GRUB Bootloader Script Modification for Bootkit Persistence

PremiumReviewedSigma · Medium · v1
Product
linux
Category
process_creation
Author
HuntRule
Published
2026-09-18
Updated
2026-09-18

ATT&CK techniques

Persistence → Defense Evasion
  1. Recon

  2. Resource Dev

  3. Initial Access

  4. Execution

  5. Persistence

  6. Priv Esc

  7. Defense Evasion

  8. Cred Access

  9. Discovery

  10. Lateral Movement

  11. Collection

  12. C2

  13. Exfiltration

  14. Impact

What it detects

This rule detects shell modification of GRUB bootloader scripts under /etc/grub.d, a pre-OS persistence technique from the Elastic Linux persistence grand finale. Injecting commands into GRUB configuration lets an attacker gain execution before the operating system loads for stealthy and resilient persistence. Direct edits to these scripts outside of kernel or bootloader updates should be examined.

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