Suspicious Kernel Extension Load on macOS (via process_creation)
- Product
- macos
- Category
- process_creation
- Author
- HuntRule
- Published
- 2026-09-03
- Updated
- 2026-09-03
ATT&CK techniques
Persistence → Priv EscRecon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
Persistence
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact
What it detects
This rule detects kextload, kextutil or kmutil loading a kernel extension, a technique that can install a persistent, high-privilege driver on macOS and is abused by rootkits and stalkerware. Kernel extension abuse is tracked in the Red Canary Threat Detection Report macOS coverage. Detecting the load surfaces kernel-level code being introduced.
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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