Streamlining System File Hash Checks: A Guide to Automated Exploit Detection

In an era where cybersecurity threats are constantly evolving, it's essential to have reliable tools in place to detect potential exploits and vulnerabilities in system files. As a seasoned user of rkhunter and chkrootkit, I've grown tired of the tedious process of running manual hash checks after each system update. It's time to streamline this process using simple yet effective hack checks that also include unauthorized changes to system commands.

The primary concern here is to identify unauthorised modifications or tampering with system files before they can be exploited by malicious actors. While rkhunter has been a trusted tool in the past, it's clear that its signature updates have become stagnant. It's time to explore alternative solutions that offer more robust and automated exploit detection capabilities.

A Scripted Approach: Automating Hash Checks with Cron

One possible solution is to create a script that runs rkhunter before and after system updates, allowing you to leverage its existing functionality while minimizing manual effort. This approach can be achieved by utilizing cron jobs to schedule the script's execution at regular intervals.

Setup and Configuration

  • Create a new file (e.g., `system_file_check.sh`) containing the following script:
    • #!/bin/bash
    • rkhunter -c --update
    • # Run system update from command line
    • apt-get update && apt-get upgrade -y
    • rkhunter -c --update
  • Schedule the script to run at regular intervals using cron (e.g., every hour):
    0 * * * * /path/to/system_file_check.sh

A Custom Solution: Hash-Based Exploit Detection Tool

An alternative approach could involve creating a custom tool that incorporates hash-based exploit detection. This would require some programming expertise, but the benefits would be well worth the effort.

  • Choose a suitable programming language (e.g., Python) and library (e.g., hashlib, cryptography)
  • Develop a program that:
    • Downloads system files from their respective package managers
    • Generates hashes for each file using the chosen library
    • Compares generated hashes with expected values to detect unauthorized changes
    • Schedules the program to run at regular intervals using a scheduler (e.g., crontab)

A Totally Different Tool: Alternative Exploit Detection Solutions

In addition to scripted approaches or custom tools, there are other exploit detection solutions worth exploring:

  • ClamAV: A popular open-source antivirus engine that can be used for exploit detection
  • OSSEC: An open-source intrusion detection and prevention system (IDPS) that offers hash-based exploit detection capabilities
  • APEX: A Linux-based security suite that includes a file integrity checker and real-time threat detection

In conclusion, streamlining system file hash checks requires a combination of scripting, custom programming, or leveraging alternative exploit detection solutions. By automating this process using cron jobs or developing a custom tool, you'll be better equipped to detect potential exploits and unauthorized changes to system files.