Detect AppleScript in CrowdStrike LogScale
Adversaries may abuse AppleScript for execution. AppleScript is a macOS scripting language designed to control applications and parts of the OS via inter-application messages called AppleEvents. Scripts can be run from the command-line via osascript /path/to/script or osascript -e 'script here'. AppleScripts can also be executed as plain text shell scripts, from within mach-O binaries using NSAppleScript or OSAScript APIs, or through Mail rules, Calendar.app alarms, and Automator workflows. Adversaries may abuse AppleScript to interact with open SSH connections, present fake dialog boxes for credential harvesting, and execute native APIs on macOS 10.10+.
MITRE ATT&CK
- Tactic
- Execution
- Technique
- T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter
- Sub-technique
- T1059.002 AppleScript
- Canonical reference
- https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1059/002/
LogScale Detection Query
#event_simpleName = ProcessRollup2
| ImageFileName = /osascript/i OR CommandLine = /osascript/i
| CommandLine = /display dialog|do shell script|keystroke|key code|open location|System Events|NSAppleScript|OSAScript|launchctl|LaunchAgent|curl|wget|bash -c|python/i
| eval FakeDialog = if(CommandLine =~ /display dialog/i, "true", "false")
| eval ShellExec = if(CommandLine =~ /do shell script/i, "true", "false")
| eval KeyInjection = if(CommandLine =~ /keystroke|key code/i, "true", "false")
| eval NetworkActivity = if(CommandLine =~ /curl|wget|open location/i, "true", "false")
| eval PersistenceHint = if(CommandLine =~ /launchctl|LaunchAgent/i, "true", "false")
| eval SuspicionSignals = (if(FakeDialog = "true", 1, 0)) + (if(ShellExec = "true", 1, 0)) + (if(KeyInjection = "true", 1, 0)) + (if(NetworkActivity = "true", 1, 0)) + (if(PersistenceHint = "true", 1, 0))
| where SuspicionSignals > 0
| table([ComputerName, UserName, FileName, ImageFileName, CommandLine, ParentBaseFileName, FakeDialog, ShellExec, KeyInjection, NetworkActivity, PersistenceHint, SuspicionSignals, @timestamp])
| sort(field=@timestamp, order=desc)CrowdStrike LogScale (CQL) detection targeting ProcessRollup2 events where the executed image is osascript or the command line invokes it. Evaluates each event against five behavioral signal categories (fake dialog, shell execution, key injection, network activity, persistence) and surfaces any event matching at least one signal. Designed for macOS endpoints enrolled in Falcon.
Data Sources
Required Tables
False Positives & Tuning
- Falcon-enrolled macOS endpoints running Jamf Pro or other MDM policies that invoke osascript for software management or user notification
- Security red-team exercises or authorized penetration tests using osascript payloads on Falcon-managed endpoints
- Developer workstations building or testing macOS applications that exercise AppleScript or NSAppleScript APIs during normal development workflows
Other platforms for T1059.002
Testing Methodology
Validate this detection against 3 adversary techniques from Atomic Red Team. Each test below lists the behaviour to exercise and the telemetry you should expect to see. Executable commands and cleanup steps are available with Pro.
- Test 1AppleScript Credential Harvesting Dialog
Expected signal: Unified Log: osascript process creation with 'display dialog' in command arguments. MDE DeviceProcessEvents with ProcessCommandLine containing the dialog text. The dialog will appear on screen — click Cancel to dismiss.
- Test 2AppleScript Shell Command Execution
Expected signal: Unified Log: osascript spawning /bin/sh to execute 'whoami'. Process tree shows osascript -> sh -> whoami chain. MDE DeviceProcessEvents captures the full chain.
- Test 3AppleScript Keystroke Injection via System Events
Expected signal: Unified Log: osascript process with 'keystroke' in command arguments. System Events accessibility check may generate TCC prompt. MDE DeviceProcessEvents captures the osascript invocation.
References (6)
- https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1059/002/
- https://www.sentinelone.com/blog/how-offensive-actors-use-applescript-for-attacking-macos/
- https://developer.apple.com/library/archive/documentation/AppleScript/Conceptual/AppleScriptLangGuide/introduction/ASLR_intro.html
- https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/master/atomics/T1059.002/T1059.002.md
- https://www.sentinelone.com/blog/macos-red-team-calling-apple-apis-without-building-binaries/
- https://objective-see.org/
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