> 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-persistence-command-was-executed-via-the-command-line.md).
# Uncommon AppleScript containing a potential persistence command was executed via the 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, Generic Persistence Analytics |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Execution (TA0002), Persistence (TA0003) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Command and Scripting Interpreter: AppleScript (T1059.002), Boot or Logon Autostart Execution (T1547) |
| Severity | Low |
### Description
The AppleScript interpreter executed an uncommon command potentially used for persistence to maintain system access.
### Attacker's Goals
Establish persistence on the system through various mechanisms to maintain access.
### 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 persistence command was executed via the command line targeting a .plist file for modification
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Execution (TA0002), Persistence (TA0003) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Command and Scripting Interpreter: AppleScript (T1059.002), Create or Modify System Process: Launch Agent (T1543.001), Create or Modify System Process: Launch Daemon (T1543.004) |
| Severity | High |
**Description**
The AppleScript interpreter executed an uncommon command potentially used for persistence to maintain system access.
**Attacker's Goals**
Establish persistence on the system through various mechanisms to maintain access.
**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 persistence command was executed via the command line targeting launchctl load command execution
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Execution (TA0002), Persistence (TA0003) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Command and Scripting Interpreter: AppleScript (T1059.002), Create or Modify System Process: Launch Agent (T1543.001), Create or Modify System Process: Launch Daemon (T1543.004) |
| Severity | Low |
**Description**
The AppleScript interpreter executed an uncommon command potentially used for persistence to maintain system access.
**Attacker's Goals**
Establish persistence on the system through various mechanisms to maintain access.
**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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