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Gatekeeper Bypass via Xattr

Sigma Rules

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Summary
This rule detects potential bypass attempts of the macOS Gatekeeper security feature using the xattr utility. Gatekeeper is designed to control which apps can be run on macOS, preventing unauthorized binaries from executing. The detection focuses on command line usage specific to the xattr tool, particularly when the attribute 'com.apple.quarantine' is being removed. The rule triggers when the command line containing these flags is detected, indicating a possible evasion technique. False positives may occur from legitimate activities using xattr to manipulate file attributes, thus requiring careful investigation of the context surrounding any detections. Since this is an attack evasion technique, the rule is particularly relevant for monitoring security incidents in environments where macOS is utilized. It is important for security practitioners to understand both the operational context and potential legitimate uses of xattr when interpreting the alerts generated by this rule.
Categories
  • macOS
  • Endpoint
Data Sources
  • Process
ATT&CK Techniques
  • T1553.001
Created: 2020-10-19