>more
More is a terminal filter for paging text. Like less, running more on terminal outputs allows executing interactive shell escapes via !/bin/sh.
Default Executable Paths
/usr/bin/more/bin/moreIntegrity & Metadata
Requires the terminal output to be longer than the screen height so more enters interactive paging mode.
Detect interactive shells executing with parent process more.
Executive Summary & AI Quick Reference
more is a native utility pre-installed on Linux systems. Threat actors and red teams abuse more as a Living-off-the-Land Binary (LOLBin) to achieve Execute 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.
While paging an output longer than terminal screen, type !/bin/sh to escape to an elevated shell.
more /etc/servicesSIEM & EDR Detection Rules
Production telemetry rules configured for Microsoft Defender, Sigma, and Splunk.
Telemetry & SIEM Detection Suite (more)
Validated against MITRE T1059.0041DeviceProcessEvents | where InitiatingProcessFileName =~ "more" and FileName in~ ("sh", "bash", "dash") | project Timestamp, DeviceName, AccountName, InitiatingProcessFileName, FileName, ProcessCommandLineMitigation, Hardening & Prevention
Recommended defensive controls to block or constrain more abuse.
Audit and remove unnecessary SUID / SGID bits (`chmod u-s /path/to/$more`) and restrict sudoers NOPASSWD execution grants.
Implement AppArmor or SELinux profiles restricting more 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) • more
Key operational questions and defensive answers about more LOLBin tradecraft.
What is more and why is it classified as a LOLBin?
more 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 Execute—without dropping custom malware binaries on disk.
How do threat actors abuse more in cyber intrusions?
Adversaries leverage more to execute stealthy actions while evading signature-based security controls. For example, attackers execute commands like "more /etc/services" to achieve Execute, masquerading behind legitimate system process lineage.
How can SOC analysts detect suspicious more 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 more), and unexpected network connections.
What MITRE ATT&CK techniques does more map to?
more maps to MITRE ATT&CK technique(s): T1059.004. These techniques cover adversary actions across tactics such as Defense Evasion, Execution, Persistence, and Command and Control.
How can organizations mitigate and restrict more?
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.
Other High-Traffic LINUX LOLBins
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Curl is a tool to transfer data from or to a server using supported protocols (HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, etc.). Attackers leverage curl to download malicious second-stage scripts and pipe directly into bash or sh for fileless in-memory execution.
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Socat is a command-line based utility that establishes two bidirectional byte streams and transfers data between them. Attackers use socat to establish encrypted TTY reverse shells and tunnel traffic across isolated network zones.