T1037.002 Logon Script (Mac)

Adversaries may use macOS logon scripts automatically executed at logon initialization to establish persistence. macOS allows logon scripts (known as login hooks) to be executed whenever a specific user logs into a system. A login hook tells Mac OS X to execute a certain script when a user logs in, but unlike Startup Items, a login hook executes as the elevated root user.(Citation: creating login hook)

Adversaries may use these login hooks to maintain persistence on a single system.(Citation: S1 macOs Persistence) Access to login hook scripts may allow an adversary to insert additional malicious code. There can only be one login hook at a time though and depending on the access configuration of the hooks, either local credentials or an administrator account may be necessary.

View in MITRE ATT&CK®

NIST 800-53 Mappings

Capability ID Capability Description Mapping Type ATT&CK ID ATT&CK Name Notes
AC-3 Access Enforcement Protects T1037.002 Logon Script (Mac)
CA-7 Continuous Monitoring Protects T1037.002 Logon Script (Mac)
CM-2 Baseline Configuration Protects T1037.002 Logon Script (Mac)
CM-6 Configuration Settings Protects T1037.002 Logon Script (Mac)
SI-3 Malicious Code Protection Protects T1037.002 Logon Script (Mac)
SI-4 System Monitoring Protects T1037.002 Logon Script (Mac)
SI-7 Software, Firmware, and Information Integrity Protects T1037.002 Logon Script (Mac)