Event Triggered Execution: Linux Inotify Process Manipulating

Adversaries may establish persistence and/or elevate privileges using system mechanisms that trigger execution based on specific events. Various operating systems have means to monitor and subscribe to events such as logons or other user activity such as running specific applications/binaries.

Removing Commands from SELinux Audit Logs Anti-Forensic

SELinux audit logs record all executed commands and policy enforcement actions, including commands like /bin/web, setenforce, mount, and /bin/rm. Using sed -i, attackers delete specific entries from these logs that could reveal the commands they executed. This manipulation ensures that traces of their activity, such as disabling security policies or deleting evidence, are erased from …

LOLbins Others

A lolbin (short for "Living Off the Land Binaries") is a legitimate Windows utility that can be used by adversaries to execute arbitrary commands. Various Windows utilities may be used to execute commands, possibly without invoking cmd. For example, the Program Compatibility Assistant (pcalua.exe) and components of the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) are examples of lolbins that can be …

Clearing Kernel Message Anti-Forensic

The dmesg -C command clears the kernel message buffer, which stores diagnostic messages generated by the kernel. These messages include logs about hardware interactions, system events, kernel module loads, and errors such as segmentation faults. The attacker can run this command to make sure that no trace of kernel-related activity, including any anomalies caused by exploitation, remains in the message …

Manipulating Debug Logs Anti-Forensic

Using the sed -i command, specific entries in debug logs, such as errors (segfault, SystemError) or trace information (e.g., filenames like main.cc), are surgically removed. This allows attackers to target only incriminating evidence without erasing the entire log file. The process preserves the structure and authenticity of the log while removing key evidence of exploitation or system errors.

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XBEL Recently Opened Files Check Sandbox Evasion

The recently-used.xbel XML file documents recent files on a Linux system that were accessed by applications. By parsing the file & checking how many files were recently accessed, we can determine whether or not a system is likely a sandbox or virtual machine. If a system has a low amount of files being accessed, it's likely a sandbox/VM.