> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/analytics-alerts/alerts-by-name/applescript-executed-a-shell-script.md).
# AppleScript executed a shell script
### Synopsis
| Field | Value |
| -------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Activation Period | 14 Days |
| Training Period | 30 Days |
| Test Period | N/A (single event) |
| Deduplication Period | 1 Day |
| Required Data | XDR Agent |
| Detector Tags | AppleScript Analytics, Shell Analytics |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Execution (TA0002) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Command and Scripting Interpreter: AppleScript (T1059.002), Command and Scripting Interpreter: Unix Shell (T1059.004) |
| Severity | Informational |
### Description
An uncommon shell script has been executed by the AppleScript interpreter process.
### Attacker's Goals
Use the AppleScript interpreter to execute a second stage payload.
### Investigative actions
* Analyze both the AppleScript and executed shell script to determine whether they perform malicious actions.
* Check the events generated by the process or its children for potential malicious behavior.
* Check whether the script was executed in an unusual way.
### Variations
AppleScript executed a shell script using an unsigned, globally rare causality actor
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Execution (TA0002) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Command and Scripting Interpreter: AppleScript (T1059.002), Command and Scripting Interpreter: Unix Shell (T1059.004) |
| Severity | Low |
**Description**
An uncommon shell script has been executed by the AppleScript interpreter process.
**Attacker's Goals**
Use the AppleScript interpreter to execute a second stage payload.
**Investigative actions**
* Analyze both the AppleScript and executed shell script to determine whether they perform malicious actions.
* Check the events generated by the process or its children for potential malicious behavior.
* Check whether the script was executed in an unusual way.
AppleScript executed a shell script using an uncommon shell process
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Execution (TA0002) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Command and Scripting Interpreter: AppleScript (T1059.002), Command and Scripting Interpreter: Unix Shell (T1059.004) |
| Severity | Low |
**Description**
An uncommon shell script has been executed by the AppleScript interpreter process.
**Attacker's Goals**
Use the AppleScript interpreter to execute a second stage payload.
**Investigative actions**
* Analyze both the AppleScript and executed shell script to determine whether they perform malicious actions.
* Check the events generated by the process or its children for potential malicious behavior.
* Check whether the script was executed in an unusual way.
---
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