MacOS Hidden Files and Directories
The following analytic detects suspicious creation of hidden files and directories, which may indicate an attacker's attempt to conceal malicious activities or unauthorized data. Hidden files and directories are…
Description
The following analytic detects suspicious creation of hidden files and directories, which may indicate an attacker's attempt to conceal malicious activities or unauthorized data. Hidden files and directories are often used to evade detection by security tools and administrators, providing a stealthy means for storing malware, logs, or sensitive information. By monitoring for unusual or unauthorized creation of hidden files and directories, this analytic helps identify potential attempts to hide or unauthorized creation of hidden files and directories, and helps identify potential attempts to hide malicious operations, enabling security teams to uncover and address hidden threats effectively.
Detection logic
Detection requirements
- Platform
- LinuxmacOSWindows
The rule states no platform. This is derived from the ATT&CK technique it maps to.
- Log source category
- osquery_results
Known benign triggers
- Power users or developers utilizing build tools or CI/CD tools could trigger this activity.
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 |
|---|---|
| osquery.readthedocs.io/en/stable/deployment/process-auditing/ | 12 |
| ss64.com/mac/chflags.html | 2from 2 sources |
| ss64.com/mac/xattr.html | 2 |
From the source
- At source
- Open at source
- Upstream identifier
- 51c43b7b-e406-45d2-9bad-5c67f07e6528
- Tagged by the source as
- MacOS Persistence TechniquesEndpointendpointSplunk CloudSplunk EnterpriseSplunk Enterprise Securityendpoint
Licence
- Published under
- Apache License 2.0Read the licence
- Attribution
- Required
- Obtained under
- Apache-2.0Read the origin licence
Authorship
- Written by
- Published
- Aug 26, 2026
- Version
- 1