Potential Proxy Execution via Systemd-run

Last updated 3 days ago on 2026-07-02
Created 3 days ago on 2026-07-02

About

This rule detects the execution of a command or binary through the systemd-run binary. Systemd-run can schedule commands to be executed in the background through systemd. Attackers may use this technique to execute commands while attempting to evade detection.
Tags
Domain: EndpointOS: LinuxUse Case: Threat DetectionTactic: Defense EvasionTactic: ExecutionData Source: Elastic EndgameData Source: Elastic DefendData Source: Auditd ManagerData Source: SentinelOneData Source: CrowdstrikeLanguage: eql
Severity
low
Risk Score
21
MITRE ATT&CK™

Defense Evasion (TA0005)(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

Rule Type
Event Correlation Rule
Integration Pack
Prebuilt Security Detection Rules
Index Patterns
auditbeat-*endgame-*logs-auditd_manager.auditd-*logs-endpoint.events.process*logs-sentinel_one_cloud_funnel.*logs-crowdstrike.fdr*
Related Integrations

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

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

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

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

Query
text code block:
process where host.os.type == "linux" and event.type == "start" and event.action in ("exec", "exec_event", "executed", "process_started", "start", "ProcessRollup2") and process.name == "systemd-run" and ?process.parent.executable != null and not ( ?process.parent.executable in ( "/usr/lib/systemd", "/lib/systemd/systemd", "/opt/saltstack/salt/run/run", "/etc/update-motd.d/70-available-updates", "/tmp/newroot/usr/libexec/ptyxis-agent", "/usr/local/sbin/clamscan.sh", "/opt/sentinelone/bin/sentinelone-agent", "/usr/local/bin/salt-minion", "/var/vanta/launcher", "/opt/traps/bin/pmd", "/usr/sbin/gdm", "/usr/bin/salt-minion", "/opt/GC_Ext/GC/gc_linux_service", "/usr/lib/plesk-task-manager", "/opt/forticlient/epctrl", "/usr/lib/snapd/snap-exec", "/usr/bin/yay", "/usr/local/bin/hexnode_agent", "/opt/halcyon/halcyonar/agent", "/usr/local/bin/qsetup", "/usr/bin/pamac", "/usr/bin/elephant", "/usr/bin/Hyprland" ) or ?process.parent.executable like ( "/opt/tableau/tableau_server/packages/scripts.*/after-install", "/opt/acronis/bin/acp-update-controller", "/snap/*", "/var/lib/amagent/*", "/opt/msp-agent/msp-agent-core", "/opt/beyondtrust/*", "/var/lib/rancher/k3s/*/bin/k3s" ) or ?process.parent.name like "platform-python*" or ?process.parent.name in ( "udevadm", "daemon.start", "snap", "systemd", "ptyxis-agent", "run-slack", "run-firefox", "dbus.service", "k3s-server", "systemd-udevd", "kubelet", "hyperkube", "kthreadd", "gnome-shell", "xdg-desktop-portal", "firefox", "picus_updater", "rpm-ostree", "prompt-agent" ) or ?process.command_line in ( "/usr/bin/systemd-run /usr/bin/systemctl start man-db-cache-update", "systemd-run env", "systemd-run --user dnf-automatic-notifyonly.timer", "systemd-run --user systemctl suspend", "systemd-run /var/lib/aws-replication-agent/uninstall-agent.sh", "systemd-run --on-active=10 --timer-property=AccuracySec=100ms --slice=system.slice systemctl start gc-agent", "systemd-run --user --scope --unit=tmux-server -- tmux", "systemd-run bash -c sleep 60 && reboot" ) or ?process.command_line like~ ( "systemd-run --scope -p CPUQuota=10% rpm -qa*", "systemd-run --scope -p CPUQuota=10% dpkg -l*" ) or ?process.parent.command_line in ("runc init", "/usr/local/bin/main") or ?process.parent.command_line like ("*/var/lib/waagent/*", "bash ./run.sh") or process.args in ( "--help", "list-timers", "/usr/lib/udev/kdump-udev-throttler", "kubectl", "--unit=ngt_guest_agent_upgrade", "i3-zoom", "google-chrome", "thunar", "/usr/bin/google-chrome-stable", "snap.lxd.workaround", "--unit=firefox", "--unit=slack", "--slice=zoom.slice", "autorandr-launcher", "--unit=restart-dbus", "--unit=autorandr-debounce" ) or process.args like ("--unit=app-Hyprland-wezterm-*.scope", "--unit=app-Hyprland-swaybg-*.scope", "--unit=rmf_sim_*") or ?process.working_directory == "/opt/Tychon/Endpoint/bin" or (process.args in ("rpm", "dpkg") and process.args like~ "CPUQuota=*") or (process.args == "--slice=app-graphical.slice" and process.args == "--description=xdg-terminal-exec") )

Install detection rules in Elastic Security

Detect Potential Proxy Execution via Systemd-run 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).