Virtual Private Network Connection Attempt

Identifies the execution of macOS built-in commands to connect to an existing Virtual Private Network (VPN). Adversaries may use VPN connections to laterally move and control remote systems on a network.

Rule type: eql

Rule indices:

auditbeat-*
logs-endpoint.events.*

Severity: low

Risk score: 21

Runs every: 5m

Searches indices from: now-9m (Date Math format, see also Additional look-back time)

Maximum alerts per execution: 100

References:

Tags:

Elastic
Host
macOS
Threat Detection
Lateral Movement

Version: 4

Rule authors:

Elastic

Rule license: Elastic License v2

Investigation guide

edit

Rule query

edit

process where event.type in ("start", "process_started") and
  (
    (process.name : "networksetup" and process.args : "-connectpppoeservice") or
    (process.name : "scutil" and process.args : "--nc" and process.args : "start") or
    (process.name : "osascript" and process.command_line : "osascript*set VPN to service*")
  )

Framework: MITRE ATT&CK^TM

Tactic:
- Name: Lateral Movement
- ID: TA0008
- Reference URL: https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0008/
Technique:
- Name: Remote Services
- ID: T1021
- Reference URL: https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1021/

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