>cp
GNU cp copies files. When configured with SUID permissions, attackers can overwrite system authentication files like /etc/passwd or copy binaries with elevated attributes.
Default Executable Paths
/bin/cp/usr/bin/cpIntegrity & Metadata
SUID cp allows arbitrary file write with root effective permissions.
Look for cp overwriting critical authentication or authorization files.
Executive Summary & AI Quick Reference
cp is a native utility pre-installed on Linux systems. Threat actors and red teams abuse cp as a Living-off-the-Land Binary (LOLBin) to achieve Defense Evasion without triggering traditional antivirus file-hash alerts. Legitimate system administrators use it for routine administration, making behavioral command-line telemetry essential for differentiation.
Weaponized Parameters & Proof-of-Concepts
Documented attack commands, parameter flags, and privilege prerequisites.
Overwrites the system password database using SUID file copying permissions.
cp /tmp/passwd_modified /etc/passwdSIEM & EDR Detection Rules
Production telemetry rules configured for Microsoft Defender, Sigma, and Splunk.
Telemetry & SIEM Detection Suite (cp)
Validated against MITRE T1565.001, T1548.0011DeviceProcessEvents | where FileName =~ "cp" | where ProcessCommandLine has_any ("/etc/passwd", "/etc/shadow", "/etc/sudoers") | project Timestamp, DeviceName, AccountName, ProcessCommandLineMitigation, Hardening & Prevention
Recommended defensive controls to block or constrain cp abuse.
Audit and remove unnecessary SUID / SGID bits (`chmod u-s /path/to/$cp`) and restrict sudoers NOPASSWD execution grants.
Implement AppArmor or SELinux profiles restricting cp network socket creation and read access to sensitive user directories.
Deploy the KQL, Sigma, and Splunk detection queries below. Alert on anomalous child processes, web requests to unrated external IPs, or encoded payload strings.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) • cp
Key operational questions and defensive answers about cp LOLBin tradecraft.
What is cp and why is it classified as a LOLBin?
cp is a legitimate, pre-installed or trusted utility on Linux. It is classified as a Living-off-the-Land Binary (LOLBin) because adversaries abuse its built-in functionality to perform malicious operations—such as Defense Evasion—without dropping custom malware binaries on disk.
How do threat actors abuse cp in cyber intrusions?
Adversaries leverage cp to execute stealthy actions while evading signature-based security controls. For example, attackers execute commands like "cp /tmp/passwd_modified /etc/passwd" to achieve Defense Evasion, masquerading behind legitimate system process lineage.
How can SOC analysts detect suspicious cp activity?
Detection engineers monitor process creation events (Windows Event ID 4688 or Sysmon Event ID 1; Linux auditd EXECVE; macOS Endpoint Security) inspecting anomalous command line arguments, unusual parent-child process relationships (e.g. Office apps or web servers spawning cp), and unexpected network connections.
What MITRE ATT&CK techniques does cp map to?
cp maps to MITRE ATT&CK technique(s): T1565.001, T1548.001. These techniques cover adversary actions across tactics such as Defense Evasion, Execution, Persistence, and Command and Control.
How can organizations mitigate and restrict cp?
Mitigation strategies include implementing Application Control policies (AppLocker or Windows Defender Application Control - WDAC), enforcing Attack Surface Reduction (ASR) rules, configuring strict privilege separation (disallowing standard users from running sensitive switches), and alerting on execution from non-standard directories.
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