Linux Gdrive Binary Activity

SPLUNK detection rule by Raven Tait, Splunk · Apache-2.0

The following analytic detects the execution of the 'gdrive' tool on a Linux host. This tool allows standard users to perform tasks associated with Google Drive via the command line. This is used by actors to stage tools as well as exfiltrate data. The detection leverages data from Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) agents, focusing on process names and command-line executions. If confirmed malicious, this could lead to compromise of systems or sensitive data being stolen.

name: Linux Gdrive Binary Activity
id: a42f8029-5472-4c33-8943-bb17bb07466a
version: 5
creation_date: '2022-04-26'
modification_date: '2026-05-13'
author: Raven Tait, Splunk
status: production
type: TTP
description: The following analytic detects the execution of the 'gdrive' tool on a Linux host. This tool allows standard users to perform tasks associated with Google Drive via the command line. This is used by actors to stage tools as well as exfiltrate data. The detection leverages data from Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) agents, focusing on process names and command-line executions. If confirmed malicious, this could lead to compromise of systems or sensitive data being stolen.
data_source:
    - Sysmon for Linux EventID 1
search: |-
    | tstats `security_content_summariesonly` count min(_time) as firstTime max(_time) as lastTime FROM datamodel=Endpoint.Processes
      WHERE Processes.process_name="gdrive" Processes.process IN  ("* download *", "* upload *", "* list*", "* update *", "* sync *", "* share *", "* account add*", "* drives *", "* files *")
      BY Processes.action Processes.dest Processes.original_file_name
         Processes.parent_process Processes.parent_process_exec Processes.parent_process_guid
         Processes.parent_process_id Processes.parent_process_name Processes.parent_process_path
         Processes.process Processes.process_exec Processes.process_guid
         Processes.process_hash Processes.process_id Processes.process_integrity_level
         Processes.process_name Processes.process_path Processes.user
         Processes.user_id Processes.vendor_product
    | `drop_dm_object_name(Processes)`
    | `security_content_ctime(firstTime)`
    | `security_content_ctime(lastTime)`
    | `linux_gdrive_binary_activity_filter`
how_to_implement: The detection is based on data that originates from Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) agents. These agents are designed to provide security-related telemetry from the endpoints where the agent is installed. To implement this search, you must ingest logs that contain the process GUID, process name, and parent process. Additionally, you must ingest complete command-line executions. These logs must be processed using the appropriate Splunk Technology Add-ons that are specific to the EDR product. The logs must also be mapped to the `Processes` node of the `Endpoint` data model. Use the Splunk Common Information Model (CIM) to normalize the field names and speed up the data modeling process.
known_false_positives: Administrator or network operator can use this application for automation purposes. Please update the filter macros to remove false positives.
references:
    - https://cloud.google.com/blog/topics/threat-intelligence/uncovering-unc3886-espionage-operations
drilldown_searches:
    - name: View the detection results for - "$dest$"
      search: '%original_detection_search% | search  dest = "$dest$"'
      earliest_offset: $info_min_time$
      latest_offset: $info_max_time$
    - name: View risk events for the last 7 days for - "$dest$"
      search: '| from datamodel Risk.All_Risk | search normalized_risk_object IN ("$dest$") | stats count min(_time) as firstTime max(_time) as lastTime values(search_name) as "Search Name" values(risk_message) as "Risk Message" values(analyticstories) as "Analytic Stories" values(annotations._all) as "Annotations" values(annotations.mitre_attack.mitre_tactic) as "ATT&CK Tactics" by normalized_risk_object | `security_content_ctime(firstTime)` | `security_content_ctime(lastTime)`'
      earliest_offset: 7d
      latest_offset: "0"
finding:
    title: An instance of $process_name$ was identified attempting to interact with Google Drive on endpoint $dest$ by $user$.
    entity:
        field: dest
        type: system
        score: 50
analytic_story:
    - China-Nexus Threat Activity
asset_type: Endpoint
mitre_attack_id:
    - T1567
product:
    - Splunk Enterprise
    - Splunk Enterprise Security
    - Splunk Cloud
category: endpoint
security_domain: endpoint
tests:
    - name: True Positive Test
      attack_data:
        - data: https://media.githubusercontent.com/media/splunk/attack_data/master/datasets/attack_techniques/T1567/gdrive/gdrive_linux.log
          sourcetype: sysmon:linux
          source: Syslog:Linux-Sysmon/Operational
      test_type: unit

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14225064-19ca-4b24-afa2-d5e84d84afd2

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Executable code, not a declarative rule

This submission is arbitrary [[ currentRule.format ? currentRule.format.toUpperCase() : '' ]] code, not a declarative detection rule — review it as you would any script before running it, and note that it cannot be safely aggregated or auto-executed alongside YARA/Sigma/Suricata/CRS rules.

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Format & documentation suggestions

Not a security issue — this rule is valid and was accepted as-is. These are optional fields/conventions its own format recommends, mainly affecting its quality score and how well it documents itself for other reviewers.

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