Tracee

Tracee manages runtime security and forensics in Linux environments by leveraging eBPF (Extended Berkeley Packet Filter) technology. This tool provides deep visibility into system and application behavior, enabling the detection of suspicious activities and anomalies.

Technically, Tracee uses eBPF to tap into the Linux kernel, generating rich events that capture system activity and behavioral patterns. It includes two primary components: Tracee-eBPF for Linux tracing and forensics, and Tracee-Rules for runtime security detection. The detection engine relies on a set of behavioral signatures that can be extended with custom rules to identify unwanted behavior.

In operational terms, Tracee can be deployed via Docker or Kubernetes, with specific requirements such as BTF (BPF Type Format) enabled kernels for optimal performance. For BTF-enabled kernels, the Docker run command includes mounts for kernel configuration files, while BTF-disabled kernels require additional mounts for kernel headers. This flexibility allows Tracee to adapt to various Linux distributions and kernel versions.

Key operational considerations include the need for privileged access due to the use of eBPF, and the potential for performance impact depending on the volume of events generated. Tracee's architecture emphasizes real-time event collection and analysis, but it also supports raw data dumping for debugging and troubleshooting purposes. The tool integrates with GitHub Actions, allowing for the protection of workflows against supply chain attacks by detecting deviations from baseline behavior and reporting suspicious events.

From a technical details perspective, Tracee supports multiple architectures, including x86_64 and aarch64, and is delivered as a Docker image. The tool's configuration and event collection can be finely tuned using various command-line options and configuration files, ensuring that it can be tailored to specific security and monitoring needs.