Monitoring Linux system calls with Falco
Rules and Logs
© Lead Image © hywards, 123RF.com
Create your own rules to detect threats by monitoring system calls.
Strace [1] is a valuable tool for monitoring and troubleshooting system calls. Unfortunately, it is sometimes difficult to understand raw system calls emitted by strace. For instance, the command shown in Listing 1 reveals lots of cryptic information.
Falco [2] is an alternative tool that offers a more intuitive approach for monitoring and detecting system events. Falco is maintained by the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNFC) [3] and is designed to operate in distributed, containerized environments. However, you can also use Falco on a single Linux system.
Overview of Linux System Calls
In Linux, userspace programs make requests to the kernel via the glibc library [4]. Otherwise known as the GNU C library, glibc is made up of wrapper functions that invoke or make system calls – on behalf of userspace programs – to the Linux kernel. Other libraries, such as the musl library [5], also exist (see the box entitled "musl and glibc"), but glibc is the default library for most Linux distributions.
[...]
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
US / Canada
UK / Australia
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Parrot OS Switches to KDE Plasma Desktop
Yet another distro is making the move to the KDE Plasma desktop.
-
TUXEDO Announces Gemini 17
TUXEDO Computers has released the fourth generation of its Gemini laptop with plenty of updates.
-
Two New Distros Adopt Enlightenment
MX Moksha and AV Linux 25 join ranks with Bodhi Linux and embrace the Enlightenment desktop.
-
Solus Linux 4.8 Removes Python 2
Solus Linux 4.8 has been released with the latest Linux kernel, updated desktops, and a key removal.
-
Zorin OS 18 Hits over a Million Downloads
If you doubt Linux isn't gaining popularity, you only have to look at Zorin OS's download numbers.
-
TUXEDO Computers Scraps Snapdragon X1E-Based Laptop
Due to issues with a Snapdragon CPU, TUXEDO Computers has cancelled its plans to release a laptop based on this elite hardware.
-
Debian Unleashes Debian Libre Live
Debian Libre Live keeps your machine free of proprietary software.
-
Valve Announces Pending Release of Steam Machine
Shout it to the heavens: Steam Machine, powered by Linux, is set to arrive in 2026.
-
Happy Birthday, ADMIN Magazine!
ADMIN is celebrating its 15th anniversary with issue #90.
-
Another Linux Malware Discovered
Russian hackers use Hyper-V to hide malware within Linux virtual machines.