huntrule

macOS Screen Capture via /usr/sbin/screencapture Process Execution

Identifies macOS instances where /usr/sbin/screencapture is executed to collect screenshots.

FreeReviewedSigma · Low · v2
Product
macos
Category
process_creation
Author
remotephone, oscd.community (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2020-10-13
Updated
2026-07-31
AnalysisDetection

ATT&CK techniques

Collection

  1. Recon

  2. Resource Dev

  3. Initial Access

  4. Execution

  5. Persistence

  6. Priv Esc

  7. Defense Evasion

  8. Cred Access

  9. Discovery

  10. Lateral Movement

  11. Collection

  12. C2

  13. Exfiltration

  14. Impact

What it detects

This rule flags process executions of /usr/sbin/screencapture on macOS, indicating an attempt to collect screenshots from the local system. Attackers may use built-in screenshot utilities to capture sensitive information for later exfiltration or analysis. The detection relies on process creation telemetry that records the executed Image path.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1113 — drag to rearrange
Suspicious Chromium Browser Launch With Covert Media Capture Flags via DRILLAPP (via process_creation)
Suspicious Keylogger Capture Database Written to macOS Temp Directory
Suspicious Screen and Audio Capture via Problem Steps Recorder
Suspicious REMCOS Screenshot Capture File via file_event
Suspicious Keylog and Screenshot Files in windows-cache Directory (OtterCookie)
Suspicious RDP Shadow Session Started - Native (via rdp)
Malicious RDP Shadow Session Configuration Enabled - Registry (via registry_event)
Suspicious GoGRPC Screen Capture Log File Creation (via file_event)
Suspicious Screen Capture via PowerShell Graphics API (via process_creation)
macOS Screen Capture via /usr/sbin/screencapture Process Execution
Pivot detection · T1113 · 9 related

Changelog

v2
  1. v2
    Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
  2. v1
    No changelog recorded for this version.2026-07-30

Detection content is published as a reviewed draft. Tune thresholds and exclusions against your own telemetry before enabling this rule for alerting.