# Analyzing Linux Kernel Rootkits

> Detect kernel-level rootkits in Linux memory dumps using Volatility3 linux plugins (check_syscall, lsmod, hidden_modules), rkhunter system scanning, and /proc vs /sys discrepancy analysis to identify hooked syscalls, hidden kernel modules, and tampered system structures.

- **Type:** Skill
- **Install:** `agentstack add skill-autohandai-community-skills-analyzing-linux-kernel-rootkits`
- **Verified:** Yes — security-reviewed for prompt injection and unsafe behavior
- **Seller:** [autohandai](https://agentstack.voostack.com/s/autohandai)
- **Installs:** 0
- **Category:** [Agent Skills](https://agentstack.voostack.com/c/agent-skills)
- **Latest version:** 0.1.0
- **License:** Apache-2.0
- **Upstream author:** [autohandai](https://github.com/autohandai)
- **Source:** https://github.com/autohandai/community-skills/tree/main/analyzing-linux-kernel-rootkits
- **Website:** https://skilled.autohand.ai

## Install

```sh
agentstack add skill-autohandai-community-skills-analyzing-linux-kernel-rootkits
```

Requires the [AgentStack CLI](https://agentstack.voostack.com/docs/cli). Works with Claude Code, Cursor, and any MCP-compatible agent.

## About

# Analyzing Linux Kernel Rootkits

## Overview

Linux kernel rootkits operate at ring 0, modifying kernel data structures to hide processes, files, network connections, and kernel modules from userspace tools. Detection requires either memory forensics (analyzing physical memory dumps with Volatility3) or cross-view analysis (comparing /proc, /sys, and kernel data structures for inconsistencies). This skill covers using Volatility3 Linux plugins to detect syscall table hooks, hidden kernel modules, and modified function pointers, supplemented by live system scanning with rkhunter and chkrootkit.

## Prerequisites

- Volatility3 installed (pip install volatility3)
- Linux memory dump (acquired via LiME, AVML, or /proc/kcore)
- Volatility3 Linux symbol table (ISF) matching the target kernel version
- rkhunter and chkrootkit for live system scanning
- Reference known-good kernel image for comparison

## Steps

### Step 1: Acquire Memory Dump
Capture Linux physical memory using LiME kernel module or AVML for cloud instances.

### Step 2: Analyze with Volatility3
Run linux.check_syscall, linux.lsmod, linux.hidden_modules, and linux.check_idt plugins to detect rootkit artifacts.

### Step 3: Cross-View Analysis
Compare module lists from /proc/modules, lsmod, and /sys/module to identify modules hidden from one view but present in another.

### Step 4: Live System Scanning
Run rkhunter and chkrootkit to detect known rootkit signatures, suspicious files, and modified system binaries.

## Expected Output

JSON report containing detected syscall hooks, hidden kernel modules, modified IDT entries, suspicious /proc discrepancies, and rkhunter findings.

## Source & license

This open-source skill is cataloged on AgentStack and links to its original source — we do not rehost the code.

- **Author:** [autohandai](https://github.com/autohandai)
- **Source:** [autohandai/community-skills](https://github.com/autohandai/community-skills)
- **License:** Apache-2.0
- **Homepage:** https://skilled.autohand.ai

Install and usage instructions live in the source repository linked above.

## Pricing

- **Free** — Free

## Security capabilities

Automated source analysis of v0.1.0 — what this tool can access:

- **Network access:** no
- **Filesystem access:** no
- **Shell / process execution:** no
- **Environment & secrets:** no
- **Dynamic code execution:** no

*"Yes" means the capability is present in the source — more access means more to trust, not that it is unsafe.*


## Versions

- **0.1.0** — security scan: passed — Imported from the upstream source.

## Links

- Listing page: https://agentstack.voostack.com/l/skill-autohandai-community-skills-analyzing-linux-kernel-rootkits
- Seller: https://agentstack.voostack.com/s/autohandai
- Browse the marketplace: https://agentstack.voostack.com/browse

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Listed on AgentStack — the marketplace for AI agent skills and MCP servers. Every listing is security-reviewed. Creators keep 70%.