SSH Process Launched From Inside A Container

Last updated 10 months ago on 2025-03-12

Created 10 months ago on 2025-03-12

About

This rule detects an SSH or SSHD process executed from inside a container. This includes both the client ssh binary and server ssh daemon process. SSH usage inside a container should be avoided and monitored closely when necessary. With valid credentials an attacker may move laterally to other containers or to the underlying host through container breakout. They may also use valid SSH credentials as a persistence mechanism.

Tags

Domain: ContainerOS: LinuxUse Case: Threat DetectionTactic: Lateral MovementTactic: PersistenceData Source: Elastic DefendLanguage: eql

Severity

medium

Risk Score

MITRE ATT&CK™

Lateral Movement (TA0008)(external, opens in a new tab or window)

↳ Remote Services (T1021)(external, opens in a new tab or window)

Persistence (TA0003)(external, opens in a new tab or window)

↳ External Remote Services (T1133)(external, opens in a new tab or window)

False Positive Examples

SSH usage may be legitimate depending on the environment. Access patterns and follow-on activity should be analyzed to distinguish between authorized and potentially malicious behavior.

License

Elastic License v2(external, opens in a new tab or window)

Definition

Rule Type: Event Correlation Rule
Integration Pack: Prebuilt Security Detection Rules
Index Patterns: logs-endpoint.events.process*
Related Integrations: endpoint(external, opens in a new tab or window)
Query

✄𐘗text code block:
✄𐘗process where host.os.type == "linux" and event.type == "start" and event.action == "exec" and
process.entry_leader.entry_meta.type == "container" and process.name in ("sshd", "ssh", "autossh")

Install detection rules in Elastic Security

Detect SSH Process Launched From Inside A Container in the Elastic Security detection engine by installing this rule into your Elastic Stack.

To setup this rule, check out the installation guide for Prebuilt Security Detection Rules(external, opens in a new tab or window).