huntrule

macOS System Information Discovery via sw_vers with product/build flags

Detects sw_vers executions on macOS that request product name/version or build version details.

FreeReviewedSigma · Medium · v2
Product
macos
Category
process_creation
Author
Joseliyo Sanchez, @Joseliyo_Jstnk (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2023-12-20
Updated
2026-07-31
AnalysisDetection

ATT&CK techniques

Discovery

  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 identifies process executions of the macOS sw_vers utility where the command line includes product or version/build flags (e.g., -productVersion, -productName, -buildVersion). Attackers often use local system interrogation to tailor subsequent actions and verify environment details. It relies on process creation telemetry, specifically the executable path ending in /sw_vers and the presence of the specified command-line arguments.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1082 — drag to rearrange
Malicious Turla Kopiluwak Reconnaissance Output to Windows Temp via process_creation
Suspicious Windows Defender Support Directory Enumeration via Process Creation
Suspicious System Reconnaissance via Windows Script Host
Suspicious Host Reconnaissance Command Chain via cmd
Malicious DinodasRAT Hidden Config File Creation on Linux (via file_event)
Suspicious System Discovery via WMIC Query Commands (via process_creation)
Suspicious PowerShell Host and Locale Reconnaissance via MuddyWater Tsundere Botnet
Suspicious System Reconnaissance Output Redirected to Temp rad File
Suspicious System Profiler Hardware Reconnaissance via BANSHEE
macOS System Information Discovery via sw_vers with product/build flags
Pivot detection · T1082 · 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.