Suspicious Base64 Decoded Shell Dropper via Command Line

ATT&CK techniques

Execution

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
- T1059.004Unix Shell
- T1204User Execution
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule detects a base64 encoded blob being decoded on the command line and piped straight into a shell interpreter. The OpenClaw AI supply chain campaign hides its curl-based droppers inside base64 to evade string based inspection before executing macOS stealer code. Catching this decode-and-run chain reveals obfuscated execution that static content filters miss.

Reporting behind it

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Suspicious Base64 Decoded Shell Dropper via Command Line

Pivot detection · T1059.004 · 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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