> 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/uncommon-applescript-containing-a-potential-obfuscation-technique-was-executed.md).
# Uncommon AppleScript containing a potential obfuscation technique was executed
### 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, Evasion Analytics |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Execution (TA0002), Defense Evasion (TA0005) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Command and Scripting Interpreter: AppleScript (T1059.002), Obfuscated Files or Information: Command Obfuscation (T1027.010) |
| Severity | Low |
### Description
The AppleScript interpreter process was executed with an obfuscation technique in the command line.
### Attacker's Goals
Evade defenses and impede forensics by encrypting, encoding, or obfuscating payloads at rest or in transit.
### 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.
* Verify the legitimacy of the persistence mechanism being created or modified.
### Variations
Uncommon AppleScript containing a potential obfuscation technique was executed subsequently running a shell command
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Execution (TA0002), Defense Evasion (TA0005) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Command and Scripting Interpreter: AppleScript (T1059.002), Obfuscated Files or Information: Command Obfuscation (T1027.010) |
| Severity | Medium |
**Description**
The AppleScript interpreter process was executed with an obfuscation technique in the command line.
**Attacker's Goals**
Evade defenses and impede forensics by encrypting, encoding, or obfuscating payloads at rest or in transit.
**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.
* Verify the legitimacy of the persistence mechanism being created or modified.
Uncommon AppleScript containing a potential obfuscation technique was executed by an uncommon parent process
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Execution (TA0002), Defense Evasion (TA0005) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Command and Scripting Interpreter: AppleScript (T1059.002), Obfuscated Files or Information: Command Obfuscation (T1027.010) |
| Severity | High |
**Description**
The AppleScript interpreter process was executed with an obfuscation technique in the command line.
**Attacker's Goals**
Evade defenses and impede forensics by encrypting, encoding, or obfuscating payloads at rest or in transit.
**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.
* Verify the legitimacy of the persistence mechanism being created or modified.
---
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