Identifier / Programs / Linux and Unix
shred
Overwrite files to securely delete data. tldr-pages
GTFOBins file-write 5 Sigma rules name it 1 documented command
How shred is abused
file-write
-uUnlink (actually delete file when done) toyboxEach abuse is GTFOBins's category and the options and words it uses; the full write-up is on GTFOBins's page for shred.
1 documented command
file-write unprivileged, with sudo, as SUID
This actually deletes the chosen file.
shred -u /path/to/output-fileTrips 1 Sigma rule: informationalFile Deletion by Ömer Günal, oscd.community
The command the identifier reads trips a Sigma process-creation rule. This command is, with GTFOBins’ notes, from GTFOBins, at commit acd524623f9c of 2026-05-27, under the GPL-3.0, with no warranty. Changed: Markdown is shown formatted. The source is in lolbas-gtfobins-commands.json.gz, and the full entry is on GTFOBins’s page for shred. The identifier reads the line that runs shred.
What detects it
Everyday use
Overwrite a file
shred path/to/fileIdentifyTrips 1 Sigma rule: informationalFile Deletion by Ömer Günal, oscd.community
Overwrite a file and show progress on the screen
shred --verbose path/to/fileIdentifyTrips 1 Sigma rule: informationalFile Deletion by Ömer Günal, oscd.community
Overwrite a file, leaving zeros instead of random data
shred --zero path/to/fileIdentifyTrips 1 Sigma rule: informationalFile Deletion by Ömer Günal, oscd.community
Of the 3 examples the identifier reads, 3 match GTFOBins abuse or trip a Sigma process-creation rule.
Options
Show every option of shred
-fForce (chmod if necessary)-n COUNTRandom overwrite iterations (default 1)-o OFFSETStart at OFFSET-s SIZEUse SIZE instead of detecting file size-uUnlink (actually delete file when done)-xUse exact size (default without -s rounds up to next 4k)-zZero at end