Malicious XCSSET LaunchDaemon Persistence Executing Hidden root Script
- Product
- macos
- Category
- process_creation
- Author
- HuntRule
- Published
- 2026-10-14
- Updated
- 2026-10-14
ATT&CK techniques
Persistence → Priv EscRecon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact
What it detects
This rule detects a LaunchDaemon or shell invocation that runs a hidden dot-root script from the user home directory via bash. Microsoft observed XCSSET dropping a fake System Settings.app and a LaunchDaemon that executes ~/.root for persistence. A hidden script launched at daemon scope is atypical for legitimate software, so this pattern indicates the persistence mechanism.
Reporting behind it
Detection content is published as a reviewed draft. Tune thresholds and exclusions against your own telemetry before enabling this rule for alerting.
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