Suspicious Clipboard Access Through OSAScript (via process_creation)

title: Suspicious Clipboard Access Through OSAScript (via process_creation)
id: b1f79301-3b15-59be-8835-d9d1de356a0c
status: stable
description: This rule detects access to clipboard content via osascript, which may be used for data collection but also occurs in legitimate clipboard utilities and automation scripts
references:
    - https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1059/002/
    - https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1115/
    - https://www.sentinelone.com/blog/how-offensive-actors-use-applescript-for-attacking-macos/
author: Huntrule Team
date: 2026-07-12
tags:
    - attack.collection
    - attack.execution
    - attack.t1115
    - attack.t1059.002
logsource:
    product: macos
    category: process_creation
detection:
    selection:
        Image|endswith: '/osascript'
        CommandLine|contains|all:
            - ' -e '
            - 'clipboard'
    filter_optional_opencode:
        ParentImage|endswith: 'opencode'
        CommandLine|contains|all:
            - 'osascript'
            - ' -e '
            - 'set imageData to the clipboard'
            - 'set fileRef'
    condition: selection and not 1 of filter_optional_*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: medium