TA0003 · PERSISTENCE
Systemd Service
Adversaries may create or modify systemd services to repeatedly execute malicious payloads as part of persistence.
Detect it with
Monitor file creation and modification events of Systemd service unit configuration files in the default directory locations for root & user level permissions.
Why it matters on shift
Systemd Service is one of the concrete ways adversaries achieve persistence. Recognising it in telemetry lets you name the technique in your ticket and pivot to what came before and after.
What to look for next
After persistence, the next tactic is usually Privilege Escalation. Search your telemetry for the transition before closing the ticket.
Kill-chain context