SSFileCopySender Executed as Root
Identifies execution of the macOS Screen Sharing file-copy helper SSFileCopySender with root UID/GID attributes (0 80). Under the native Apple authentication path this helper runs in the connecting user's context;…
Description
Identifies execution of the macOS Screen Sharing file-copy helper SSFileCopySender with root UID/GID attributes (0 80). Under the native Apple authentication path this helper runs in the connecting user's context; execution as root is anomalous and consistent with pre-authentication exploitation of the Screen Sharing service (CVE-2026-65400), where a flawed SRP validation path lets an unauthenticated attacker reach privileged file operations. Note that the 0/80 UID/GID pair reflects only initial exploitation attempts and can be evaded once an attacker enumerates another local account. It is advisable to treat this as a tripwire and pair it with the SSFileCopyReceiver Writing to Common Persistence Locations rule coverage.
Detection logic
Its licence does not clear it for publishing here
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Detection requirements
- Platform
- ContainersESXiIaaSLinuxmacOSNetwork DevicesWindows
The rule states no platform. This is derived from the 2 ATT&CK techniques it maps to.
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 |
|---|---|
| nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-65400 | 2 |
| support.apple.com/en-us/HT201222 | 2 |
| www.huntress.com/blog/macos-screen-sharing-rce-patched | 2 |
From the source
- At source
- Open at source
- Upstream identifier
- e54c3f36-e243-402d-9d44-8f7349eb8c88
- Tagged by the source as
- Data Source: Elastic DefendDomain: EndpointOS: macOSPlatform: macOSResources: Investigation GuideRule Type: ES|QLTactic: Initial AccessUse Case: Threat DetectionUse Case: VulnerabilityVuln: CVE-2026-65400
Licence
- Published under
- Elastic License 2.0Read the licence
- Attribution
- Required
Authorship
- Written by
- Published
- Sep 20, 2026
- Version
- 2