eBPF

Winsage
May 11, 2026
Open-source endpoint detection tools have typically been divided between Windows and Linux, with Windows solutions focused on Sysmon and Linux solutions on eBPF or auditd. Rustinel is a Rust-based endpoint agent that consolidates these efforts by gathering telemetry from both operating systems using ETW on Windows and eBPF on Linux, normalizing the data into a unified model. It evaluates the information against Sigma rules, YARA signatures, and atomic indicators of compromise, storing alerts in ECS-compatible NDJSON format for integration with SIEM or log-analysis platforms. Rustinel supports a range of events on Windows, including process creation, network activity, and PowerShell executions, while Linux support currently includes process, network, file, and DNS telemetry. It operates in user mode on both platforms, requiring specific conditions for installation. Unlike commercial EDR solutions that use kernel drivers, Rustinel's user-mode design prioritizes simplicity and stability, although it acknowledges limitations in tamper resistance and visibility. The agent utilizes three detection engines: Sigma for behavioral matching, YARA for scanning executables, and an IOC engine for deterministic checks. While it leverages existing content familiar to defenders, it has coverage gaps for certain advanced threats. Rustinel is available on GitHub under the Apache 2.0 license.
Winsage
November 5, 2024
The extended Berkeley Packet Filter (eBPF) allows for the execution of custom code in kernel space, enhancing application performance management and security. Windows has introduced support for eBPF, but it has limitations. Microsoft began a project in 2021 to enable eBPF capabilities on Windows, allowing the use of existing Linux eBPF tools and libraries. To install eBPF on Windows, a kernel debugger or test-signing mode is required, which is impractical for production systems. eBPF for Windows is still in development, suitable for experimentation, but not yet ready for real-world deployment. There is no clear timeline for a production-ready version, and development activity has slowed.
Winsage
October 11, 2024
The integration of eBPF into Microsoft Windows is being developed through a collaboration between the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) and Microsoft. Microsoft researchers are creating a version of eBPF for Windows that will allow developers to execute small programs directly within the Windows kernel using a programmable interface similar to Linux. This project is hosted on GitHub and has 43 contributors, primarily using C and some C++. The implementation will maintain bytecode compatibility with Linux eBPF and will include a comparable interpreter and just-in-time compiler. The IETF is also working on standardizing eBPF to ensure compatibility between Windows and Linux, focusing on solidifying the Instruction Set Architecture (ISA) and creating a specification for producing portable eBPF binaries through an Application Binary Interface (ABI).
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