Suspicious Payload Staging and Execution from Shared Memory

ATT&CK techniques

Execution → Priv Esc

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
- T1053.003Cron
Persistence
- T1053.003Cron
Priv Esc
- T1053.003Cron
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule detects files being copied into or executed from the /dev/shm shared memory filesystem, a fileless staging location used by Tsunami and related Log4Shell payloads to run components without touching disk. Combined with persistence via crontab this lets attackers maintain access while minimizing forensic artifacts.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1053.003 — drag to rearrange

Malicious APT36 Crontab Persistence Logging to Shared Memory via Command Line (via process_creation)

Malicious JADEPUFFER Python Beacon via Cron

Malicious Cron Execution of Binary from tmp Directory on Linux (via process_creation)

Suspicious Process Execution from Hidden Outlaw Config Directory

Suspicious Cron Reboot Persistence Pointing to Hidden User Directory on Linux

Suspicious Cron Job Downloading and Executing Payload via GlobalProtect Exploitation

Suspicious Remote Script Download Piped to Shell via 8220 Gang Hadooken

Suspicious Linux Crontab Reboot Persistence to Hidden Sys Cache Binary (via process_creation)

Suspicious Cron Persistence Installing a Downloader via Command Line

Suspicious Payload Staging and Execution from Shared Memory

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.

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