Unusual File Transfer Utility Launched

Last updated 4 months ago on 2025-09-02
Created 10 months ago on 2025-02-21

About

This rule leverages ESQL to detect the execution of unusual file transfer utilities on Linux systems. Attackers may use these utilities to exfiltrate data from a compromised system. ESQL rules have limited fields available in its alert documents. Make sure to review the original documents to aid in the investigation of this alert.
Tags
Domain: EndpointOS: LinuxUse Case: Threat DetectionTactic: ExfiltrationTactic: ExecutionData Source: Elastic DefendLanguage: esql
Severity
low
Risk Score
21
MITRE ATT&CK™

Exfiltration (TA0010)(external, opens in a new tab or window)

Execution (TA0002)(external, opens in a new tab or window)

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

Definition

Integration Pack
Prebuilt Security Detection Rules
Related Integrations

endpoint(external, opens in a new tab or window)

Query
text code block:
from logs-endpoint.events.process-* | keep @timestamp, host.os.type, event.type, event.action, process.name, process.executable, process.parent.executable, agent.id, host.name | where @timestamp > now() - 1 hours and host.os.type == "linux" and event.type == "start" and event.action == "exec" and process.name in ("scp", "ftp", "sftp", "vsftpd", "sftp-server", "rsync") | stats Esql.event_count = count(), Esql.agent_id_count_distinct = count_distinct(agent.id), Esql.host_name_values = values(host.name), Esql.agent_id_values = values(agent.id) by process.executable, process.parent.executable | where Esql.agent_id_count_distinct == 1 and Esql.event_count < 5 | sort Esql.event_count asc | limit 100

Install detection rules in Elastic Security

Detect Unusual File Transfer Utility Launched 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).