> 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-with-a-potential-defense-evasion-command-was-executed-via-the-command-line.md).

# Uncommon AppleScript with a potential defense-evasion 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, Evasion Analytics                                                                                    |
| ATT\&CK Tactic       | Execution (TA0002), Defense Impairment (TA0112)                                                                             |
| ATT\&CK Technique    | Command and Scripting Interpreter: AppleScript (T1059.002), Disable or Modify Tools (T1685), Subvert Trust Controls (T1553) |
| Severity             | Low                                                                                                                         |

### Description

The AppleScript interpreter executed a command to modify system configuration, bypass security controls, or evade detection.

### Attacker's Goals

Employ defense evasion techniques by modifying system configurations and disabling or bypassing security tools.

### 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 defense evasion technique being employed.

### Variations

<details>

<summary>Uncommon AppleScript with a potential defense-evasion command was executed via the command line disabling the Gatekeeper security feature</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                                                                                                                                                                              |
| ----------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Execution (TA0002), Defense Impairment (TA0112)                                                                                                                                    |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Command and Scripting Interpreter: AppleScript (T1059.002), Disable or Modify Tools (T1685), Subvert Trust Controls (T1553), Subvert Trust Controls: Gatekeeper Bypass (T1553.001) |
| Severity          | High                                                                                                                                                                               |

**Description**

The AppleScript interpreter executed a command to modify system configuration, bypass security controls, or evade detection.

**Attacker's Goals**

Employ defense evasion techniques by modifying system configurations and disabling or bypassing security tools.

**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 defense evasion technique being employed.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Uncommon AppleScript with a potential defense-evasion command was executed via the command line manipulating the 'hosts' file</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                                                                                                                       |
| ----------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Execution (TA0002), Defense Impairment (TA0112)                                                                             |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Command and Scripting Interpreter: AppleScript (T1059.002), Disable or Modify Tools (T1685), Subvert Trust Controls (T1553) |
| Severity          | Medium                                                                                                                      |

**Description**

The AppleScript interpreter executed a command to modify system configuration, bypass security controls, or evade detection.

**Attacker's Goals**

Employ defense evasion techniques by modifying system configurations and disabling or bypassing security tools.

**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 defense evasion technique being employed.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Uncommon AppleScript with a potential defense-evasion command was executed via the command line deleting attributes from a file</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                                                                                                                                                                              |
| ----------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Execution (TA0002), Defense Impairment (TA0112)                                                                                                                                    |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Command and Scripting Interpreter: AppleScript (T1059.002), Disable or Modify Tools (T1685), Subvert Trust Controls (T1553), Subvert Trust Controls: Gatekeeper Bypass (T1553.001) |
| Severity          | Low                                                                                                                                                                                |

**Description**

The AppleScript interpreter executed a command to modify system configuration, bypass security controls, or evade detection.

**Attacker's Goals**

Employ defense evasion techniques by modifying system configurations and disabling or bypassing security tools.

**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 defense evasion technique being employed.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Uncommon AppleScript with a potential defense-evasion command was executed via the command line setting a network proxy</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                                                                                                                       |
| ----------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Execution (TA0002), Defense Impairment (TA0112)                                                                             |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Command and Scripting Interpreter: AppleScript (T1059.002), Disable or Modify Tools (T1685), Subvert Trust Controls (T1553) |
| Severity          | Low                                                                                                                         |

**Description**

The AppleScript interpreter executed a command to modify system configuration, bypass security controls, or evade detection.

**Attacker's Goals**

Employ defense evasion techniques by modifying system configurations and disabling or bypassing security tools.

**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 defense evasion technique being employed.

</details>


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