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Event: hidden_elf_exec

Quick Explanation

The hidden_elf_exec recipe identifies the execution of hidden ELF files, a tactic employed by attackers to evade detection and maintain persistence on compromised systems. This method, often associated with rootkits and advanced persistent threats, involves concealing artifacts to obscure malicious activities. Detecting such hidden executables within the CI/CD pipeline is crucial, as they can lead to severe security breaches if merged and deployed.

More Information

Information

  1. Description: Hidden ELF execution
  2. Category: Defense Evasion
  3. Method: Hide Artifacts (Rootkit)
  4. Importance: Critical

Analysis of the Event

This detection identifies the execution of hidden ELF (Executable and Linkable Format) files, a common technique used by attackers to bypass detection mechanisms and maintain persistence on compromised systems.

The use of hidden files, particularly executable ones, indicates sophisticated evasion tactics often linked to rootkits or other advanced persistent threats (APTs). By leveraging eBPF and other tracing techniques, Jibril monitors file executions and flags those that match specific patterns indicating concealment (e.g., filenames starting with a dot).

The implications of this detection are significant within the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly under the Defense Evasion tactic. The method employed here involves hiding artifacts using rootkit-like behavior to obscure malicious activities from standard monitoring tools. This could potentially allow an attacker to execute malicious payloads without raising immediate alarms, thereby prolonging their presence within the system.

Implications for the CI/CD Pipeline

Detecting hidden ELF file execution during the CI/CD pipeline suggests that recent code changes may introduce or utilize concealed executables. If such code is merged and deployed into production, it could lead to severe security breaches, including unauthorized access, data exfiltration, or further compromise of system integrity. This poses risks not only to the CI environment but also to production systems where these hidden executables might be leveraged to launch more sophisticated attacks.

  1. Review Code Changes: Conduct a thorough review of recent code changes in the pull request for any instances where executable files are being created or modified in ways that obscure their presence (e.g., filenames starting with a dot).
  2. Examine Dependencies: Check all dependencies included in the pull request for any suspicious behavior or known vulnerabilities related to hidden executables.
  3. Enhanced Monitoring: Implement additional monitoring and logging around file creation and execution events in both CI and production environments to detect similar activities.
  4. Security Audits: Perform a security audit on your build environment to ensure no unauthorized changes have been made that could facilitate such evasion techniques.
  5. Update Security Policies: Ensure your security policies explicitly prohibit practices that involve hiding executable files and enforce regular scans using tools like Jibril.

By following these steps, you can mitigate the risks introduced by this pull request and enhance the overall security posture against such sophisticated evasion techniques.