Lateral Movement Techniques in macOS: An Overview
/ 4 min read
Quick take - The article provides a comprehensive overview of lateral movement techniques in macOS, detailing methods such as SSH key theft, Apple Remote Desktop, and Remote Apple Events, while emphasizing the importance of monitoring and implementing security measures to protect against cyberattacks.
Fast Facts
- Lateral movement in macOS involves techniques used by cyberattackers to navigate networks after initial system compromise, including SSH key theft, Apple Remote Desktop (ARD), and Remote Apple Events (RAE).
- SSH keys, essential for secure authentication, can be exploited through theft or unauthorized access, with notable incidents involving credential theft and supply chain attacks.
- Attackers can maintain persistent access by adding their public keys to the authorized_keys file, as demonstrated by the Insekt malware.
- ARD, while a legitimate remote management tool, can be misused by attackers to control systems and execute commands, necessitating monitoring for suspicious activity.
- The article emphasizes the need for robust security measures, including monitoring for SSH and RAE exploitation, and suggests using Palo Alto Networks’ Cortex products for enhanced protection.
Comprehensive Overview of Lateral Movement Techniques in macOS
Lateral movement techniques in macOS, as well as those shared with other operating systems, are crucial for understanding how cyberattackers navigate networks post-initial access. Lateral movement refers to strategies used by attackers to move through a network after compromising a system. Key techniques include SSH key theft, Apple Remote Desktop (ARD), and Remote Apple Events (RAE).
SSH Key Theft
SSH keys are cryptographic keys essential for secure authentication between a client and a server. They typically consist of a private key on the client side and a public key on the server side, stored in the .ssh directory. These keys are widely used for remote administration, automation, Git operations, and secure file transfers. Cyberattackers can exploit SSH keys through theft or unauthorized access methods.
Methods include deploying keyloggers to capture keystrokes. Attackers may exfiltrate SSH keys by stealing the .ssh directory or copying key files. A notable instance of SSH key exploitation occurred in 2021, involving Baidu users and trojanized tools. These tools downloaded a Python script for credential theft. In December 2022, a supply chain attack on the PyTorch ML framework compromised a dependency to steal SSH keys. The SSH-Snake tool has been identified as an automated means for exploiting SSH keys for lateral movement. Attackers can maintain persistent access by planting their public keys in the authorized_keys file. The Insekt malware, discovered in October 2022, demonstrated this by appending attacker SSH keys to the authorized_keys file on targeted machines.
To combat these threats, monitoring for suspicious activities related to SSH key exploitation is recommended. This includes watching for alterations to the authorized_keys file and unusual SSH connection attempts.
Apple Remote Desktop (ARD)
Apple Remote Desktop (ARD) is a remote management tool for administering macOS hosts. ARD facilitates software distribution, remote assistance, system administration, and asset management. Its client component is built into macOS and requires activation through System Preferences. While ARD serves legitimate purposes, attackers can exploit it by enabling the service through SSH commands. ARD allows for features like screen observation, remote control, and UNIX command execution. These features make it easier for attackers to impersonate legitimate users compared to SSH.
To detect suspicious ARD activity, monitoring the creation of the ardagent process is suggested. Additionally, any unusual commands executed within its process tree should be observed.
Remote Apple Events (RAE)
Remote Apple Events (RAE) is another technique that enables applications on macOS to execute specific functions over a network. RAE uses Apple Events and requires enabling the Remote Application Scripting feature in System Preferences. Attackers can exploit RAE to execute harmful AppleScript commands on remote machines. They can automate tasks and maintain persistence through this method. Monitoring AppleScripts using the eppc protocol and related network activity is advised to detect suspicious RAE activities.
The article underscores the importance of implementing robust security measures to safeguard macOS environments. It highlights the protective capabilities of Palo Alto Networks’ Cortex product line, which includes Behavioral Threat Protection and a Local Threat Evaluation Engine. Organizations are encouraged to contact the Unit 42 Incident Response team if they suspect any compromise. To aid in detection and prevention, additional resources and examples of XQL queries are provided, designed for hunting lateral movement in macOS environments.
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