This detection rule targets potential malicious access to sensitive credential files, specifically `/etc/passwd` and `/etc/shadow`, on Linux systems using the Linux Audit Daemon (auditd). The analytic focuses on methods commonly used to access these files such as the usage of commands like `cat`, `nano`, `vim`, and `vi`. This behavior is critical to monitor as it often signifies attempts at credential dumping—a technique leveraged by adversaries to gain persistent access or escalate their privileges within a system. If confirmed, this could lead to attackers obtaining hashed passwords worth cracking, thereby facilitating unauthorized access and increasing the risk of full system compromise.