Suspicious Shell Spawned by PostgreSQL Server via COPY FROM PROGRAM on Linux
- Product
- linux
- Category
- process_creation
- Author
- HuntRule
- Published
- 2026-07-21
- Updated
- 2026-08-28
ATT&CK techniques
Initial Access → ExecutionRecon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact
What it detects
This rule detects a PostgreSQL server process spawning a command shell which indicates abuse of the COPY FROM PROGRAM feature for arbitrary command execution as used by the DreamBus botnet after brute-forcing weak database credentials. A database engine launching a shell is not normal behavior and points to post-authentication remote code execution.
Reporting behind it
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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