
Summary
This detection rule by Elastic identifies suspicious behavior associated with the execution of the `csrutil` command on macOS systems. Specifically, it targets scenarios where applications invoke `csrutil status` and look for the 'enabled' status of System Integrity Protection (SIP), an act typically associated with malware pre-checks. Such behavior suggests the malware is assessing its operational environment to avoid detection or confinement within a controlled environment like a virtual machine. While the command itself is not inherently malicious, its use in this context raises significant red flags, warranting a deeper investigation into the invoking application's legitimacy and its subsequent actions.
The rule outlines specific patterns for identifying this behavior, such as the command line parameters being executed and the parent processes involved. Potential investigation steps include validating the provenance of the app, analyzing the execution timeline for any suspicious follow-up actions, and monitoring for further malicious indicators that often accompany such activities. The guidance includes detailed triage, false positive considerations, and remediation actions to take if malware behavior is confirmed, making it an essential rule for endpoint protection against stealthy malicious activities targeting macOS systems.
Categories
- macOS
- Endpoint
Data Sources
- Process
- Application Log
ATT&CK Techniques
- T1082
- T1497
- T1497.001
Created: 2026-01-30