Persistence via DirectoryService Plugin Modification

Elastic Stack Serverless Security

Identifies the creation or modification of a DirectoryService PlugIns (dsplug) file. The DirectoryService daemon launches on each system boot and automatically reloads after crash. It scans and executes bundles that are located in the DirectoryServices PlugIns folder and can be abused by adversaries to maintain persistence.

Rule type: query

Rule indices:

• auditbeat-*
• logs-endpoint.events.*

Severity: medium

Risk score: 47

Runs every: 5m

Searches indices from: now-9m (https://www.elastic.co/guide/en/elasticsearch/reference/current/common-options.html#date-math[Date Math format], see also Additional look-back time)

Maximum alerts per execution: 100

References:

• https://blog.chichou.me/2019/11/21/two-macos-persistence-tricks-abusing-plugins/

Tags:

• Elastic
• Host
• macOS
• Threat Detection
• Persistence

Version: 101

Rule authors:

• Elastic

Rule license: Elastic License v2

event.category:file and not event.type:deletion and
  file.path:/Library/DirectoryServices/PlugIns/*.dsplug

Framework: MITRE ATT&CKTM

• Tactic:

  • Name: Persistence
  • ID: TA0003
  • Reference URL: https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0003/

• Technique:

  • Name: Boot or Logon Autostart Execution
  • ID: T1547
  • Reference URL: https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1547/