Analytics BIOC Informational
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Uncommon macOS process communication to a rare external host

An uncommon process is connecting to an external host that is rarely accessed within the organization. This connection pattern is consistent with malicious activity such as command and control execution, malware download and so on.

Module:
Platform Analytics
Data source:
XDR Agent
ATT&CK tactics: Command and Control (TA0011)
ATT&CK techniques: Application Layer Protocol (T1071)
Detector tags: Abnormal Communication Analytics
Attacker's goals:

Establish a remote backdoor to issue instructions, deploy additional payloads, and maintain long-term persistence across the infected fleet.

Investigative actions:

Identify the process contacting the remote host and determine whether the traffic is malicious. Look for other endpoints on your network that are also contacting the suspicious host. Inspect the host or URL for suspicious indicators or its presence in malicious reputation lists.

Test period:
N/A (single event)
Deduplication:
1 Day
13 variations:
  • Uncommon macOS process communication to a rare external host by security testing tool High (parent: Informational)
  • Uncommon macOS process communication to a rare external host with a frequently abused TLD Medium (parent: Informational) Adds Masquerading (T1036)
  • Uncommon macOS process communication to a rare external host while using a CLI utility to establish a connection with a messaging service API Medium (parent: Informational) Adds Exfiltration Over C2 Channel (T1041) Exfiltration Over Web Service (T1567) Command and Scripting Interpreter (T1059)
  • Uncommon macOS process communication to a rare external host involving a code sharing website by a high-risk actor Medium (parent: Informational) Adds Web Service (T1102)
  • Uncommon macOS process communication to a rare external host involving a code sharing website Low (parent: Informational) Adds Web Service (T1102)
  • Uncommon macOS process communication to a rare external host related to LOTTunnels Low (parent: Informational) Adds Protocol Tunneling (T1572) Exfiltration Over Alternative Protocol (T1048) Obfuscated Files or Information (T1027)
  • Uncommon macOS process communication to a rare external host with a rare TLD Low (parent: Informational) Adds Masquerading (T1036)
  • Uncommon macOS process communication to a rare external host while using a CLI utility and piping to script Low (parent: Informational) Adds Exfiltration Over C2 Channel (T1041) Command and Scripting Interpreter (T1059) Command and Scripting Interpreter: Unix Shell (T1059.004)
  • Uncommon macOS process communication to a rare external host while using a CLI utility to download and change permission Low (parent: Informational) Adds Exfiltration Over C2 Channel (T1041) Command and Scripting Interpreter (T1059) File and Directory Permissions Modification (T1222) File and Directory Permissions Modification: Linux and Mac File and Directory Permissions Modification (T1222.002) Ingress Tool Transfer (T1105)
  • Uncommon macOS process communication to a rare external host while using a CLI utility running by an unsigned process Low (parent: Informational) Adds Exfiltration Over C2 Channel (T1041) Subvert Trust Controls (T1553) Masquerading (T1036)
  • Uncommon macOS process communication to a rare external host while using a CLI utility and saving data to a temporary folder Low (parent: Informational) Adds Exfiltration Over C2 Channel (T1041) Data Staged (T1074) Data Staged: Local Data Staging (T1074.001) Hide Artifacts (T1564) Indicator Removal (T1070)
  • Uncommon macOS process communication to a rare external host while using a CLI utility and downloading a script Low (parent: Informational) Adds Exfiltration Over C2 Channel (T1041) Ingress Tool Transfer (T1105) Command and Scripting Interpreter (T1059)
  • Uncommon macOS process communication to a rare external host while using a CLI utility Low (parent: Informational) Adds Exfiltration Over C2 Channel (T1041) Command and Scripting Interpreter (T1059)