Pbpaste Execution via Unusual Parent Process
Detects when an unusual parent process like Node.js, Python, or osascript executes the pbpaste binary to access clipboard data. This technique has been used by malware like OtterCookie to steal passwords and seed…
Description
Detects when an unusual parent process like Node.js, Python, or osascript executes the pbpaste binary to access clipboard data. This technique has been used by malware like OtterCookie to steal passwords and seed phrases from the clipboard.
Detection logic
Its licence does not clear it for publishing here
Sunturai publishes a detection's own text where the licence it arrived under has been reviewed and permits it, and Elastic License 2.0 has not. The query as its source wrote it, its canonical form and the hash that pins this revision are in the workspace record.
Detection requirements
- Platform
- LinuxmacOSWindows
The rule states no platform. This is derived from the ATT&CK technique it maps to.
- Log source category
- event_index
MITRE ATT&CK mappings
0 exclusive techniques.This is coverage no other published rule has; it is not this rule's total technique count.
References
| Reference | Cited by |
|---|---|
| jp.security.ntt/tech_blog/contagious-interview-ottercookie | Only this detection cites it |
From the source
- At source
- Open at source
- Upstream identifier
- d7182e12-df8f-4ecf-b8f8-7cc0adcec425
- Tagged by the source as
- Data Source: Elastic DefendDomain: EndpointNoise: LowOS: macOSPerformance: NormalPlatform: macOSResources: Investigation GuideRule Type: Event Correlation (EQL)Tactic: CollectionUse Case: Threat Detection
Licence
- Published under
- Elastic License 2.0Read the licence
- Attribution
- Required
Authorship
- Written by
- Published
- Sep 20, 2026
- Version
- 3