Adversaries may abuse the <code>cron</code> utility to perform task scheduling for initial or recurring execution of malicious code.(Citation: 20 macOS Common Tools and Techniques) The <code>cron</code> utility is a time-based job scheduler for Unix-like operating systems. The <code> crontab</code> file contains the schedule of cron entries to be run and the specified times for execution. Any <code>crontab</code> files are stored in operating system-specific file paths.
An adversary may use <code>cron</code> in Linux or Unix environments to execute programs at system startup or on a scheduled basis for Persistence.
View in MITRE ATT&CK®| Capability ID | Capability Description | Mapping Type | ATT&CK ID | ATT&CK Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AC-02 | Account Management | Protects | T1053.003 | Cron |
| AC-03 | Access Enforcement | Protects | T1053.003 | Cron |
| AC-05 | Separation of Duties | Protects | T1053.003 | Cron |
| AC-06 | Least Privilege | Protects | T1053.003 | Cron |
| CA-08 | Penetration Testing | Protects | T1053.003 | Cron |
| CM-05 | Access Restrictions for Change | Protects | T1053.003 | Cron |
| IA-02 | Identification and Authentication (organizational Users) | Protects | T1053.003 | Cron |
| RA-05 | Vulnerability Monitoring and Scanning | Protects | T1053.003 | Cron |
| SI-04 | System Monitoring | Protects | T1053.003 | Cron |