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security_inode_unlink

Intro

security_inode_unlink - An event that captures details when an inode is unlinked.

Description

This event is triggered when an inode is unlinked, representing file or directory deletion. The eBPF program attached to this event extracts various attributes related to the unlinked inode, primarily focusing on the path, inode number, device number, and creation time of the file or directory.

The main purpose of this event is to monitor and log file or directory deletions, which can be critical for security, monitoring, or auditing use cases, especially when tracking changes in critical directories or files.

Arguments

  1. pathname (const char*): The path to the file or directory being unlinked.
  2. inode (unsigned long): Inode number of the file or directory.
  3. dev (dev_t): Device number associated with the inode.
  4. ctime (u64): Creation time of the file or directory.

Hooks

Type

Kprobe (using kprobe/security_inode_unlink).

Purpose

To capture and extract detailed information whenever an inode gets unlinked. This hook provides a set of attributes that can be used to understand the context and specifics of the unlinked file or directory.

Example Use Case

Security applications might use this event to track and monitor deletions of sensitive files or directories. It can also be employed for auditing purposes, ensuring that no unexpected file removal operations are conducted, especially in critical system directories.

Issues

This eBPF program captures details on each unlinked inode, which might introduce some overhead, especially in systems where files are frequently created and deleted. It's essential to consider the potential performance implications and adjust the monitoring frequency or scope if needed.

  • security_inode_unlink
  • security_inode_mknod
  • security_inode_symlink
  • security_inode_rename

This document was automatically generated by OpenAI and reviewed by a Human.