Process Execution From Shared Memory Directory

title: Process Execution From Shared Memory Directory
id: 5cd16c8f-44a6-4654-81e7-a84d6db507d4
status: experimental
description: |
    Detects the execution of a binary from the Linux shared memory directory /dev/shm.
    This directory is a tmpfs mount backed entirely by RAM and is abused by attackers for fileless malware staging because files written there never touch physical disk and may evade disk-based detection.
references:
    - https://www.sysdig.com/blog/containers-read-only-fileless-malware
    - https://unfinished.bike/fun-with-the-new-bpfdoor-2023
    - https://asiapacificdefencereporter.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Final-CRWD-2023-Threat-Hunting-Report.pdf
    - https://www.crowdstrike.com/en-us/blog/how-to-hunt-for-decisivearchitect-and-justforfun-implant/
    - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/avradeep_malware-apt-infostealer-activity-7373203959697719296-JR-7
    - https://www.stormshield.com/news/orbit-analysis-of-a-linux-dedicated-malware/
author: Stan Beukers
date: 2026-06-20
tags:
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.execution
    - attack.t1027.011
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: linux
detection:
    selection:
        Image|startswith: '/dev/shm/'
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Unlikely in production environments; some container runtimes or IPC frameworks may use /dev/shm for inter-process communication but should not spawn executables.
level: high