Kernel Module Removal
editKernel Module Removal
editIdentifies attempts to remove a kernel module. Kernel modules are pieces of code that can be loaded and unloaded into the kernel upon demand. They extend the functionality of the kernel without the need to reboot the system.
Rule type: query
Rule indices:
- auditbeat-*
- logs-endpoint.events.*
Severity: high
Risk score: 73
Runs every: 5 minutes
Searches indices from: now-9m (Date Math format, see also Additional look-back time
)
Maximum alerts per execution: 100
References:
Tags:
- Elastic
- Host
- Linux
- Threat Detection
- Defense Evasion
Version: 4 (version history)
Added (Elastic Stack release): 7.8.0
Last modified (Elastic Stack release): 7.10.0
Rule authors: Elastic
Rule license: Elastic License
Potential false positives
editThere is usually no reason to remove modules, but some buggy modules require it. These can be exempted by username. Note that some Linux distributions are not built to support the removal of modules at all.
Rule query
editevent.category:process and event.type:(start or process_started) and process.args:((rmmod and sudo) or (modprobe and sudo and ("--remove" or "-r")))
Threat mapping
editFramework: MITRE ATT&CKTM
-
Tactic:
- Name: Defense Evasion
- ID: TA0005
- Reference URL: https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0005/
-
Technique:
- Name: Disabling Security Tools
- ID: T1089
- Reference URL: https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1089/
-
Tactic:
- Name: Persistence
- ID: TA0003
- Reference URL: https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0003/
-
Technique:
- Name: Kernel Modules and Extensions
- ID: T1215
- Reference URL: https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1215/
Rule version history
edit- Version 4 (7.10.0 release)
-
- Formatting only
- Version 3 (7.9.1 release)
-
- Formatting only
- Version 2 (7.9.0 release)
-
-
Updated query, changed from:
event.action:executed and process.args:(rmmod and sudo or modprobe and sudo and ("--remove" or "-r"))
-