TA0003 · PERSISTENCE
Pluggable Authentication Modules
Adversaries may modify pluggable authentication modules (PAM) to access user credentials or enable otherwise unwarranted access to accounts.
Detect it with
Monitor PAM configuration and module paths (ex: /etc/pam.d/ ) for changes. Use system-integrity tools such as AIDE and monitoring tools such as auditd to monitor PAM files.
Why it matters on shift
Pluggable Authentication Modules 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