🔬 eBPF Foundation
The eBPF Foundation is at the heart of Jibril’s most advanced threat detection capabilities. Unlike typical approaches that monitor system events from userland or perform surface-level telemetry, this logic leverages the unique power of eBPF within the kernel to detect subtle - and often invisible - signs that the Linux operating system itself has been tainted by advanced attacks.
eBPF (extended Berkeley Packet Filter) enables Jibril to execute sandboxed, high-performance bytecode directly in kernel space, without modifying the kernel or loading custom kernel modules. This offers a real-time, privileged vantage point on system behavior that is simply not available from userland.
🔬 Why "eBPF Foundation"?
The "foundation" in eBPF Foundation means not only broader visibility and multi-source monitoring, but also the ability to detect low-level kernel compromise. This includes pinpointing stealthy manipulations, such as system call table hijacking or the redirection of function handlers behind file and socket operations - classic hallmarks of rootkits and advanced kernel exploits.
This exists because some detections cannot be made reliably from userland. Only by running integrity checks and taint analysis inside the kernel can Jibril spot these threat vectors.
🎯 What Sets eBPF Foundation Apart
All of the concepts below - from event collection to analytics - serve not just to collect data, but as key building blocks toward the primary goal: detecting when the kernel’s logic or core data structures have been maliciously manipulated. This includes the detection of advanced threats like:
- System call hijacking:
When an attacker replaces a syscall handler pointer to subvert expected kernel logic. - File/socket handler hijacking:
Redirection of function pointers for file or socket operations, often by rootkits. - Memory corruption, hidden hooks, or table alteration:
Exploits that quietly subvert or misdirect kernel control flow and data integrity.
These attacks alter the fabric of the OS itself, and only in-kernel mechanisms such as eBPF can shine a light into the places where userland tools are blind.
🚦 How the eBPF Logic Works
Jibril writes its eBPF Logic as specialized programs using a restricted C-like language, which is compiled and loaded into the kernel after passing the eBPF verifier’s rigorous safety checks. Once in place, these programs are attached to kernel hooks and leverage eBPF’s features for proactive, privileged introspection.
🔗 Multi-point Event Collection
Jibril attaches eBPF probes to syscall entry points, kernel data structures, event hooks (like file/network/process actions), and places where handler pointers reside.💾 In-kernel Data Storage
Events and metadata are stored within kernel memory using eBPF maps, so even if userland is subverted, the integrity of detection data remains uncompromised.🔍 Kernel Integrity Checks
Jibril uses eBPF logic to directly verify critical kernel data structures - like syscall tables or function handler pointers - spotting any anomalies introduced by rootkits or exploit payloads.🧩 Cross-source Correlation
Retrieved data is correlated across system components and over time - providing high-confidence detection when multiple anomalies, or signs of taint and hijack, appear in concert.📍 Strategic Kernel Sensors
Jibril places its eBPF Logic at critical kernel touchpoints to maximize monitoring for system compromise:
🔧 System Call Interfaces
Scans syscall tables for pointer hijack or abnormal redirection, watches process lifecycle and file/network operations for signs of attack.🌐 Network Stack Points
Detects attempts to hide malicious traffic or intercept sockets via in-kernel changes.🔒 Security Functions
Observes permission changes, elevated privilege attempts, and security hooks for unauthorized manipulation.🧠 Memory Operations
Identifies patterns of memory corruption, pointer overwrites, or unexpected code execution paths.📦 Container Boundaries
Watches for attempts to cross isolation layers or hide workloads using kernel-level tricks.This deep, multi-angle inspection of the kernel ensures minimal blind spots. The eBPF Logic focuses above all on detecting system taint - meaning compromise of the kernel itself through advanced manipulation.
🚀 Next Steps
Continue exploring Jibril’s kernel-powered detection mechanisms: