{"description":"Trending threats, MITRE ATT\u0026CK coverage, and detection metadata. Fed continuously.","favicon":"https://feed.craftedsignal.io/favicon-32x32.png","feed_url":"https://feed.craftedsignal.io/tags/kmod/feed.json","home_page_url":"https://feed.craftedsignal.io/","icon":"https://feed.craftedsignal.io/apple-touch-icon.png","items":[{"_cs_actors":[],"_cs_cpes":[],"_cs_cves":[],"_cs_exploited":false,"_cs_has_poc":false,"_cs_poc_references":[],"_cs_products":[],"_cs_severities":["medium"],"_cs_tags":["discovery","rootkit","linux","kmod"],"_cs_type":"advisory","_cs_vendors":[],"content_html":"\u003cp\u003eThe kmod utility is a standard component in Linux systems used for managing kernel modules. Threat actors, particularly those deploying sophisticated malware like the XorDDos botnet or various Linux rootkits, often leverage kmod to enumerate currently loaded modules. This discovery activity is a critical precursor to identifying gaps in security controls or verifying the presence of competing malware before the attacker attempts to inject their own unauthorized kernel modules using insmod. While system administrators frequently perform this enumeration during routine maintenance or troubleshooting, its occurrence in non-standard execution contexts - or when paired with subsequent module loading commands - serves as a high-fidelity signal of potential system compromise and rootkit installation attempts.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"attack-chain\"\u003eAttack Chain\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInitial access is established via an exploit or stolen credentials.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAttacker executes reconnaissance commands to determine the current system state, including kernel version and loaded drivers.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAttacker executes 'kmod lsmod' or 'kmod list' to identify active kernel modules and hook points.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAttacker identifies a target to replace or inject a malicious module for persistence.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAttacker compiles or retrieves a malicious kernel module (e.g., a rootkit).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAttacker uses 'insmod' or 'modprobe' to load the malicious module into the kernel.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAttacker uses the loaded module to hide files, processes, or network connections (rootkit functionality).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"impact\"\u003eImpact\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSuccessful exploitation allows for the installation of kernel-level rootkits, providing attackers with deep, persistent control over the operating system. This access can facilitate complete system subversion, bypass of EDR/security agents, data exfiltration, and long-term concealment of malicious activities within the kernel, making detection and removal extremely difficult.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"recommendation\"\u003eRecommendation\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDeploy the provided Sigma rule to detect kmod module enumeration activity within your SIEM.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMonitor for suspicious parent-child process relationships where kmod is spawned by web servers, shells, or non-administrative service accounts.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEstablish a baseline for normal module management activity to reduce false positives from automated configuration scripts.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInvestigate any instances of kmod enumeration followed immediately by calls to 'insmod' or 'modprobe' for unknown or unsigned files.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n","date_modified":"2026-10-12T17:51:11Z","date_published":"2026-10-12T17:51:11Z","id":"https://feed.craftedsignal.io/briefs/2026-10-linux-kernel-module-enumeration/","summary":"Detection of the kmod process enumerating kernel modules, a common discovery step used by attackers to profile systems before loading malicious rootkits or kernel-level persistence.","title":"Detection of Linux Kernel Module Enumeration","url":"https://feed.craftedsignal.io/briefs/2026-10-linux-kernel-module-enumeration/"}],"language":"en","title":"CraftedSignal Threat Feed - Kmod","version":"https://jsonfeed.org/version/1.1"}