> 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-process-executed-with-a-rare-command-line.md).

# AppleScript process executed with a rare command line

### 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                                      |
| ATT\&CK Tactic       | Execution (TA0002)                                         |
| ATT\&CK Technique    | Command and Scripting Interpreter: AppleScript (T1059.002) |
| Severity             | Informational                                              |

### Description

The AppleScript interpreter process was executed with an uncommon command line.

### Attacker's Goals

Perform various actions via AppleScript code, such as establishing persistence, evading detection, executing secondary payloads or injecting remote processes.

### Investigative actions

* Analyze the command line and determine whether it performs any malicious or suspicious actions.
* Check the events generated by the process or its children for potential malicious behavior.
* Check whether the process was executed in an unusual way.

### Variations

<details>

<summary>AppleScript process executed with a rare command line containing uncommon arguments</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                                                      |
| ----------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Execution (TA0002)                                         |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Command and Scripting Interpreter: AppleScript (T1059.002) |
| Severity          | High                                                       |

**Description**

The AppleScript interpreter process was executed with an uncommon command line.

**Attacker's Goals**

Perform various actions via AppleScript code, such as establishing persistence, evading detection, executing secondary payloads or injecting remote processes.

**Investigative actions**

* Analyze the command line and determine whether it performs any malicious or suspicious actions.
* Check the events generated by the process or its children for potential malicious behavior.
* Check whether the process was executed in an unusual way.

</details>

<details>

<summary>AppleScript process executed with a rare command line possibly using Finder to perform operations</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                                                      |
| ----------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Execution (TA0002)                                         |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Command and Scripting Interpreter: AppleScript (T1059.002) |
| Severity          | High                                                       |

**Description**

The AppleScript interpreter process was executed with an uncommon command line.

**Attacker's Goals**

Perform various actions via AppleScript code, such as establishing persistence, evading detection, executing secondary payloads or injecting remote processes.

**Investigative actions**

* Analyze the command line and determine whether it performs any malicious or suspicious actions.
* Check the events generated by the process or its children for potential malicious behavior.
* Check whether the process was executed in an unusual way.

</details>

<details>

<summary>AppleScript process executed with a rare command line with an unusual password prompt</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                                                      |
| ----------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Execution (TA0002)                                         |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Command and Scripting Interpreter: AppleScript (T1059.002) |
| Severity          | Low                                                        |

**Description**

The AppleScript interpreter process was executed with an uncommon command line.

**Attacker's Goals**

Perform various actions via AppleScript code, such as establishing persistence, evading detection, executing secondary payloads or injecting remote processes.

**Investigative actions**

* Analyze the command line and determine whether it performs any malicious or suspicious actions.
* Check the events generated by the process or its children for potential malicious behavior.
* Check whether the process was executed in an unusual way.

</details>

<details>

<summary>AppleScript process executed with a rare command line that possibly injects JavaScript into a browser</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                                                      |
| ----------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Execution (TA0002)                                         |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Command and Scripting Interpreter: AppleScript (T1059.002) |
| Severity          | Low                                                        |

**Description**

The AppleScript interpreter process was executed with an uncommon command line.

**Attacker's Goals**

Perform various actions via AppleScript code, such as establishing persistence, evading detection, executing secondary payloads or injecting remote processes.

**Investigative actions**

* Analyze the command line and determine whether it performs any malicious or suspicious actions.
* Check the events generated by the process or its children for potential malicious behavior.
* Check whether the process was executed in an unusual way.

</details>

<details>

<summary>AppleScript process executed with a rare command line performing clipboard access</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                                                      |
| ----------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Execution (TA0002)                                         |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Command and Scripting Interpreter: AppleScript (T1059.002) |
| Severity          | Low                                                        |

**Description**

The AppleScript interpreter process was executed with an uncommon command line.

**Attacker's Goals**

Perform various actions via AppleScript code, such as establishing persistence, evading detection, executing secondary payloads or injecting remote processes.

**Investigative actions**

* Analyze the command line and determine whether it performs any malicious or suspicious actions.
* Check the events generated by the process or its children for potential malicious behavior.
* Check whether the process was executed in an unusual way.

</details>

<details>

<summary>AppleScript process executed with a rare command line that muted the audio output</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                                                      |
| ----------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Execution (TA0002)                                         |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Command and Scripting Interpreter: AppleScript (T1059.002) |
| Severity          | Low                                                        |

**Description**

The AppleScript interpreter process was executed with an uncommon command line.

**Attacker's Goals**

Perform various actions via AppleScript code, such as establishing persistence, evading detection, executing secondary payloads or injecting remote processes.

**Investigative actions**

* Analyze the command line and determine whether it performs any malicious or suspicious actions.
* Check the events generated by the process or its children for potential malicious behavior.
* Check whether the process was executed in an unusual way.

</details>


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