> 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-potentially-utilizes-credential-grabbing-techniques-to-steal-user-passwords.md).
# Uncommon AppleScript potentially utilizes credential-grabbing techniques to steal user passwords
### 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, Credentials Grabbing Analytics |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Execution (TA0002), Credential Access (TA0006) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Command and Scripting Interpreter: AppleScript (T1059.002), Credentials from Password Stores (T1555) |
| Severity | Low |
### Description
The AppleScript interpreter potentially utilizes credential-grabbing techniques to steal user passwords.
### Attacker's Goals
Harvest user credentials and passwords from sensitive locations such as the macOS Keychain or directory services to enable unauthorized access, lateral movement, or privilege escalation.
### 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
Uncommon AppleScript potentially utilizes credential-grabbing techniques to steal user passwords leveraging the 'dscl -authonly' command to covertly verify the captured password
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Execution (TA0002), Privilege Escalation (TA0004) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Command and Scripting Interpreter: AppleScript (T1059.002), Valid Accounts (T1078) |
| Severity | High |
**Description**
The AppleScript interpreter potentially utilizes credential-grabbing techniques to steal user passwords.
**Attacker's Goals**
Harvest user credentials and passwords from sensitive locations such as the macOS Keychain or directory services to enable unauthorized access, lateral movement, or privilege escalation.
**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.
---
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