Individual skill
detecting-rootkit-activity
Detects rootkit presence on compromised systems by identifying hidden processes, hooked system calls, modified kernel structures, hidden files, and covert network connections using memory forensics, cross-view detection, and integrity checking techniques. Activates for requests involving rootkit detection, hidden process discovery, kernel integrity checking, or system call hook analysis.
internal/tools/skills/data/malware-analysis/detecting-rootkit-activity/SKILL.md
Source commit d42f381ad34843e71a42658e5c57290c713e85af
What was checked
- Matches the observed repository HEAD
- Yes
- Scanner rules are current
- No
- Repository scan complete
- No
- Skill scan complete
- No
- Observed behavior
- Not checked yet
- Last checked
- Nov 7, 2026
These are observations at the recorded commit, not a guarantee of safety. Review the source before running it.
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Repository context
- Repository stars (not skill ratings)
- 1,313
- Repository last updated
- Nov 7, 2026
- License
- Apache-2.0
Observed agent integration: No specific integration evidence. Standard SKILL.md installation does not imply verified compatibility.
- cybersecurity Repository topic
- security Repository topic
- bug-bounty Repository topic
- automation Repository topic
- autonomous-pentesting Repository topic
- ai-agent Repository topic
- ai-security Repository topic
- ethical-hacking Repository topic
- golang Repository topic
- penetration-testing Repository topic
- malware Declared skill tag
- rootkit Declared skill tag
- detection Declared skill tag
- kernel-analysis Declared skill tag
- memory-forensics Declared skill tag
- operations Derived category
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# Detecting Rootkit Activity
## When to Use
- System shows signs of compromise but standard tools (Task Manager, netstat) show nothing abnormal
- Antivirus/EDR detects rootkit signatures but cannot identify the specific hiding mechanism
- Memory forensics reveals discrepancies between kernel data structures and user-mode tool output
- Investigating a persistent threat that survives remediation attempts and system reboots
- Validating system integrity after a suspected kernel-level compromise
**Do not use** as a first-line detection method; start with standard malware triage and escalate to rootkit analysis when hiding behavior is suspected.
## Detection Gaps & Validation
