Possible System Information Enumeration Via System_Profiler (via process_creation)

title: Possible System Information Enumeration Via System_Profiler (via process_creation)
id: 68e138b3-8d87-564a-8ff2-535dc7002711
status: stable
description: This rule detects the execution of "system_profiler" with specific "Data Types" that have been seen being used by threat actors and malware. It provides system hardware and software configuration information. This process is primarily used for system information discovery. However, "system_profiler" can also be used to determine if virtualization software is being run for defense evasion purposes.
references:
    - https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1497/001/
    - https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1082/
    - https://www.trendmicro.com/en_za/research/20/k/new-macos-backdoor-connected-to-oceanlotus-surfaces.html
    - https://www.sentinelone.com/wp-content/uploads/pdf-gen/1630910064/20-common-tools-techniques-used-by-macos-threat-actors-malware.pdf
    - https://ss64.com/mac/system_profiler.html
    - https://objective-see.org/blog/blog_0x62.html
    - https://www.welivesecurity.com/2019/04/09/oceanlotus-macos-malware-update/
    - https://gist.github.com/nasbench/9a1ba4bc7094ea1b47bc42bf172961af
author: Huntrule Team
date: 2026-01-01
tags:
    - attack.discovery
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1082
    - attack.t1497.001
logsource:
    product: macos
    category: process_creation
detection:
    selection_img:
        - Image|endswith: '/system_profiler'
        - CommandLine|contains: 'system_profiler'
    selection_cmd:
        CommandLine|contains:
            - 'SPApplicationsDataType'
            - 'SPHardwareDataType'
            - 'SPNetworkDataType'
            - 'SPUSBDataType'
    condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: medium