Suspicious Python Path Configuration File (.pth) Creation

[rule]
description = """
Detects creation or change of a Python path configuration file (.pth) with a suspicious import preface, file size or
entropy. This rule matches .pth files whose leading bytes correspond to UTF-8 text beginning with an import-style
preface (for example, the string starting with "import os, subpr" as used before subprocess or similar calls). That
pattern is atypical and may indicate code execution via the .pth mechanism.
"""
id = "983dc90f-7eb0-4832-a537-3854b40d31fa"
license = "Elastic License v2"
name = "Suspicious Python Path Configuration File (.pth) Creation"
os_list = ["linux"]
reference = [
    "https://dfir.ch/posts/publish_python_pth_extension/",
    "https://www.volexity.com/blog/2024/04/12/zero-day-exploitation-of-unauthenticated-remote-code-execution-vulnerability-in-globalprotect-cve-2024-3400/",
    "https://futuresearch.ai/blog/litellm-pypi-supply-chain-attack/",
    "https://www.virustotal.com/gui/file/71e35aef03099cd1f2d6446734273025a163597de93912df321ef118bf135238",
]
version = "1.0.1"

query = '''
file where event.type in ("change", "creation") and file.extension like "pth" and (
  file.Ext.header_bytes like "696d706f7274206f732c207375627072" or
  (
    file.path like "*site-packages*" and
    (file.size >= 30000 or file.Ext.entropy >= 5.5)
  )
)
'''

min_endpoint_version = "9.3.0"
optional_actions = []
[[actions]]
action = "kill_process"
field = "process.entity_id"
state = 0

[[actions]]
action = "kill_process"
field = "process.parent.entity_id"
state = 0

[[threat]]
framework = "MITRE ATT&CK"
[[threat.technique]]
id = "T1059"
name = "Command and Scripting Interpreter"
reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1059/"
[[threat.technique.subtechnique]]
id = "T1059.006"
name = "Python"
reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1059/006/"



[threat.tactic]
id = "TA0002"
name = "Execution"
reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0002/"
[[threat]]
framework = "MITRE ATT&CK"
[[threat.technique]]
id = "T1546"
name = "Event Triggered Execution"
reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1546/"

[[threat.technique]]
id = "T1574"
name = "Hijack Execution Flow"
reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1574/"


[threat.tactic]
id = "TA0003"
name = "Persistence"
reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0003/"

[internal]
min_endpoint_version = "9.3.0"