Suspicious AppleScript Execution via osascript Inline Command

ATT&CK techniques

Execution

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
- T1059.002AppleScript
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule detects osascript invoked with an inline -e command on macOS, the AppleScript execution technique used by the AMOS stealer to display fake password prompts and drive credential theft. While osascript has legitimate administrative uses, inline execution from unexpected parents is a common stealer behavior. This should be reviewed alongside process lineage and subsequent credential access.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1059.002 — drag to rearrange

Malicious Remote Script Piped to a Shell on macOS (via process_creation)

AppleScript do-shell-script Abuse via Osascript (via process_creation)

Suspicious AppleScript Payload Execution via osascript (macOS)

Suspicious AppleScript Execution Spawning a Shell via Osascript

Suspicious osascript Execution of Encoded AppleScript on macOS (via process_creation)

Suspicious Credential Prompt Phishing via osascript (via process_creation)

Malicious ClickFix Stager Piping curl Output to osascript

Suspicious Shell Execution Referencing Mounted DMG Volume via Terminal (macOS)

Suspicious osascript to zsh Executing Hidden Payload via Axios Compromise

Suspicious AppleScript Execution via osascript Inline Command

Pivot detection · T1059.002 · 9 related

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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