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[New Rules] macOS Unified Logs Login Window and XProtect Detections#5874

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colson/loginwindow-xprotect-unified-log-detections
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[New Rules] macOS Unified Logs Login Window and XProtect Detections#5874
DefSecSentinel wants to merge 13 commits intomainfrom
colson/loginwindow-xprotect-unified-log-detections

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@DefSecSentinel DefSecSentinel commented Mar 23, 2026

Summary

  • Adds 2 new alerting rules leveraging macOS Unified Logs telemetry for login item persistence detection and XProtect malware scan correlation
  • Both rules operate at default log level — no debug or private data enablement required
  • Companion to #5867 (Apple Events) and #5870 (TCC)

New Alerting Rules

Rule Subsystem Severity MITRE Pattern
Login Item Persistence Execution via Unified Logs com.apple.loginwindow.logging low T1547.015 performAutolaunch
XProtect Malware Scan Match Detected com.apple.XProtectFramework.PluginAPI high T1036 XProtect scan match

Design Notes

  • Login Window rule: Very low event volume, high signal. Detects when login items execute at user login — a common macOS persistence mechanism. BBR rule for correlation with other indicators.
  • XProtect rule: Rare but extremely high-confidence. Fires when Apple's built-in YARA-based malware scanner detects a known signature. Severity set to high (risk_score 73) given the confidence level.
  • Both subsystems produce telemetry at default log level, making these rules deployable without any endpoint configuration beyond the base integration setup.
  • Also adds message: keyword to non-ecs-schema.json for logs-unified_logs.log-* (same fix as companion PRs).

Relates to: https://github.com/elastic/ia-trade-team/issues/847

Test plan

  • Validate TOML structure passes detection_rules validate-rule
  • Add a login item on test host and verify rule 12 fires on next login
  • Trigger XProtect scan with EICAR or known test signature and verify rule 13 fires
  • Confirm acceptable false positive rate against baseline macOS activity

🤖 Generated with Claude Code

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tradebot-elastic commented Mar 23, 2026 •
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⛔️ Test failed

Results
  • ❌ XProtect Malware Scan Match Detected (eql)
    • coverage_issue: no_rta
    • stack_validation_failed: no_rta
  • ❌ Login Item Persistence Execution via Unified Logs (eql)
    • coverage_issue: no_rta
    • stack_validation_failed: no_rta

@DefSecSentinel DefSecSentinel self-assigned this Mar 23, 2026
@DefSecSentinel DefSecSentinel added dev rule meant to be non-prod / non-shipping OS: macOS Rule: New Proposal for new rule integration: Unified_Logs labels Mar 23, 2026
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github-actions bot commented Mar 23, 2026

Rule: New - Guidelines

These guidelines serve as a reminder set of considerations when proposing a new rule.

Documentation and Context

  • Detailed description of the rule.
  • List any new fields required in ECS/data sources.
  • Link related issues or PRs.
  • Include references.

Rule Metadata Checks

  • creation_date matches the date of creation PR initially merged.
  • min_stack_version should support the widest stack versions.
  • name and description should be descriptive and not include typos.
  • query should be inclusive, not overly exclusive, considering performance for diverse environments. Non ecs fields should be added to non-ecs-schema.json if not available in an integration.
  • min_stack_comments and min_stack_version should be included if the rule is only compatible starting from a specific stack version.
  • index pattern should be neither too specific nor too vague, ensuring it accurately matches the relevant data stream (e.g., use logs-endpoint.process-* for process data).
  • integration should align with the index. If the integration is newly introduced, ensure the manifest, schemas, and new_rule.yaml template are updated.
  • setup should include the necessary steps to configure the integration.
  • note should include any additional information (e.g. Triage and analysis investigation guides, timeline templates).
  • tags should be relevant to the threat and align/added to the EXPECTED_RULE_TAGS in the definitions.py file.
  • threat, techniques, and subtechniques should map to ATT&CK always if possible.

New BBR Rules

  • building_block_type should be included if the rule is a building block and the rule should be located in the rules_building_block folder.
  • bypass_bbr_timing should be included if adding custom lookback timing to the rule.

Testing and Validation

  • Provide evidence of testing and detecting the expected threat.
  • Check for existence of coverage to prevent duplication.

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tradebot-elastic commented Mar 23, 2026 •
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⛔️ Test failed

Results
  • ❌ XProtect Malware Scan Match Detected (eql)
    • coverage_issue: no_rta
    • stack_validation_failed: no_rta
  • ❌ Login Item Persistence Execution via Unified Logs (eql)
    • coverage_issue: no_rta
    • stack_validation_failed: no_rta

Samirbous
Samirbous reviewed Mar 23, 2026
View reviewed changes
Comment thread .../integrations/unified_logs/persistence_login_item_persistence_execution_via_loginwindow.toml Outdated

query = '''
any where event.dataset == "unified_logs.log" and host.os.type == "macos" and
message like "*performAutolaunch*"
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@Samirbous Samirbous Mar 23, 2026

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don't think message field is supported in EQL :

Image

maybe convert it to KQL

Comment thread rules/integrations/unified_logs/defense_evasion_xprotect_malware_scan_match.toml Outdated
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tradebot-elastic commented Mar 23, 2026 •
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⛔️ Test failed

Results
  • ❌ XProtect Malware Scan Match Detected (kuery)
    • coverage_issue: no_rta
    • stack_validation_failed: no_rta
  • ❌ Login Item Persistence Execution via Unified Logs (kuery)
    • coverage_issue: no_rta
    • stack_validation_failed: no_rta

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tradebot-elastic commented Mar 23, 2026 •
edited
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⛔️ Test failed

Results
  • ❌ XProtect Malware Scan Match Detected (kuery)
    • coverage_issue: no_rta
    • stack_validation_failed: no_rta
  • ❌ Login Item Persistence Execution via Unified Logs (kuery)
    • coverage_issue: no_rta
    • stack_validation_failed: no_rta

Mikaayenson
Mikaayenson reviewed Mar 23, 2026
View reviewed changes
Comment thread rules/integrations/unified_logs/defense_evasion_xprotect_malware_scan_match.toml Outdated
[metadata]
creation_date = "2026/03/23"
integration = ["unified_logs"]
maturity = "development"
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@Mikaayenson Mikaayenson Mar 23, 2026

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Suggested change
maturity = "development"
maturity = "production"

Comment thread detection_rules/etc/non-ecs-schema.json Outdated
"system.process.cpu.total.norm.pct": "double",
"system.cpu.total.norm.pct": "double"
},
"logs-unified_logs.log-*": {
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@Mikaayenson Mikaayenson Mar 23, 2026

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This should probably be removed and instead add the integration manifest update

@DefSecSentinel DefSecSentinel marked this pull request as draft March 23, 2026 20:49
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tradebot-elastic commented Mar 23, 2026 •
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⛔️ Test failed

Results
  • ❌ XProtect Malware Scan Match Detected (kuery)
    • coverage_issue: no_rta
    • stack_validation_failed: no_rta
  • ❌ Login Item Persistence Execution via Unified Logs (kuery)
    • coverage_issue: no_rta
    • stack_validation_failed: no_rta

@tradebot-elastic
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tradebot-elastic commented Mar 23, 2026 •
edited
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⛔️ Test failed

Results
  • ❌ XProtect Malware Scan Match Detected (kuery)
    • coverage_issue: no_rta
    • stack_validation_failed: no_rta
  • ❌ Login Item Persistence Execution via Unified Logs (kuery)
    • coverage_issue: no_rta
    • stack_validation_failed: no_rta

@tradebot-elastic
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tradebot-elastic commented Mar 23, 2026 •
edited
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⛔️ Test failed

Results
  • ❌ XProtect Malware Scan Match Detected (kuery)
    • coverage_issue: no_rta
    • stack_validation_failed: no_rta
  • ❌ Login Item Persistence Execution via Unified Logs (kuery)
    • coverage_issue: no_rta
    • stack_validation_failed: no_rta

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tradebot-elastic commented Mar 24, 2026 •
edited
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⛔️ Test failed

Results
  • ❌ XProtect Malware Scan Match Detected (esql)
    • coverage_issue: no_rta
    • stack_validation_failed: no_rta
  • ❌ Login Item Persistence Execution via Unified Logs (esql)
    • coverage_issue: no_rta
    • stack_validation_failed: no_rta

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DefSecSentinel commented Mar 24, 2026

Testing & Validation Update

Login Window and XProtect detection rules validated against live unified log data on the trade lab cluster (logs-unifiedlogs.unifiedlogs-*).

Changes Made During Testing

  • Converted rules from KQL to ES|QL — message is a text field that doesn't support KQL term matching
  • Updated loginwindow rule pattern from performAutolaunch to LoginItemsLauncher — performAutolaunch does not appear in unified logs on current macOS versions; the actual login item execution pattern is LoginItemsLauncher
  • Fixed event.dataset, index pattern, and integration tag to match actual data stream naming
  • Added integration manifest and schema via CLI
  • Removed non-existent fields from ES|QL KEEP clause

Emulation Commands (run on macOS host with Unified Logs integration)

Login Item Persistence Execution:

# 1. Add a test login item
osascript -e 'tell application "System Events" to make login item at end with properties {path:"/Applications/Calculator.app", hidden:false}'

# 2. Log out and log back in (Apple Menu > Log Out)
# The LoginItemsLauncher events fire during the login window phase

# 3. Cleanup
osascript -e 'tell application "System Events" to delete login item "Calculator"'

XProtect Malware Scan Match: Cannot be reliably emulated — requires an actual malware signature match from XProtect. Rule pattern validated structurally.

Integration Prerequisites

  • Unified Logs integration installed on macOS agent policy
  • Debug and Info toggles enabled in integration settings
  • Predicate configured to capture loginwindow and XProtect subsystems: 
    subsystem=="com.apple.loginwindow.logging" OR subsystem=="com.apple.XProtectFramework.PluginAPI"
  • Note: The original predicate filtered on eventMessage CONTAINS "performAutolaunch" which was too narrow. Broaden to capture all loginwindow events: subsystem=="com.apple.loginwindow.logging"

Validation Results

Rule Emulation Query Match Status
Login Item Persistence Execution Add login item + logout/login LoginItemsLauncher in com.apple.loginwindow.logging ✅ Confirmed
XProtect Malware Scan Match N/A (requires real malware signature) com.apple.XProtectFramework.PluginAPI ⚠️ Structural validation only

@DefSecSentinel DefSecSentinel marked this pull request as ready for review March 24, 2026 14:34
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tradebot-elastic commented Mar 24, 2026 •
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⛔️ Test failed

Results
  • ❌ XProtect Malware Scan Match Detected (esql)
    • coverage_issue: no_rta
    • stack_validation_failed: no_rta
  • ❌ Login Item Persistence Execution via Unified Logs (esql)
    • coverage_issue: no_rta
    • stack_validation_failed: no_rta

@tradebot-elastic
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tradebot-elastic commented Mar 24, 2026 •
edited
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⛔️ Test failed

Results
  • ❌ XProtect Malware Scan Match Detected (esql)
    • coverage_issue: no_rta
    • stack_validation_failed: no_rta
  • ❌ Login Item Persistence Execution via Unified Logs (esql)
    • coverage_issue: no_rta
    • stack_validation_failed: no_rta

@tradebot-elastic
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tradebot-elastic commented Mar 24, 2026 •
edited
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⛔️ Test failed

Results
  • ❌ XProtect Malware Scan Match Detected (esql)
    • coverage_issue: no_rta
    • stack_validation_failed: no_rta
  • ❌ Login Item Persistence Execution via Unified Logs (esql)
    • coverage_issue: no_rta
    • stack_validation_failed: no_rta

@Mikaayenson
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Mikaayenson commented Mar 25, 2026

++ Check out the feedback in #5867 (review) to adjust in this PR

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DefSecSentinel commented Apr 1, 2026

@Mikaayenson Applied the same feedback from 5867: switched to KEEP *, fixed tags to Domain: Endpoint + OS: macOS, and reverted the non-ECS schema change.

DefSecSentinel and others added 13 commits April 1, 2026 14:12
@DefSecSentinel @claude
[New Rules] macOS Unified Logs Login Window and XProtect Detections
c29da7a 
Adds 2 new alerting rules leveraging macOS Unified Logs telemetry for
login item persistence and XProtect malware detection.

New rules:
- Login Item Persistence Execution via Unified Logs (T1547.015)
  com.apple.loginwindow.logging subsystem, performAutolaunch pattern
- XProtect Malware Scan Match Detected (T1036)
  com.apple.XProtectFramework.PluginAPI subsystem, high severity

Also adds message field as keyword in non-ECS schema for the
logs-unified_logs.log-* index pattern to support EQL validation.

Relates to: elastic/ia-trade-team#847

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 (1M context) <noreply@anthropic.com>
@DefSecSentinel @claude
Update Login Window and XProtect rules to use structured fields and KQL
5c7ded2 
Switch from EQL to KQL since message is match_only_text. Use
unified_log.subsystem keyword field for efficient filtering. Update
index pattern and event.dataset to match actual integration naming.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 (1M context) <noreply@anthropic.com>
@DefSecSentinel @claude
Fix event.dataset to match pipeline output: unifiedlogs.log
5f8b613 
The ingest pipeline normalizes event.dataset to "unifiedlogs.log"
regardless of the data stream name. Update all rules and index
patterns accordingly.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 (1M context) <noreply@anthropic.com>
@DefSecSentinel @claude
Add unifiedlogs integration schema and fix data stream references
64862c7 
- Pull unifiedlogs integration manifest and schema via CLI
- Fix integration tag: unified_logs -> unifiedlogs (matches EPR package)
- Fix index pattern: logs-unifiedlogs.log-* -> logs-unifiedlogs.unifiedlogs-*
- Fix event.dataset: unifiedlogs.log -> unifiedlogs.unifiedlogs
- All rules pass local validation with updated schemas

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 (1M context) <noreply@anthropic.com>
@DefSecSentinel @claude
Fix unifiedlogs schema dataset keys (remove version suffix)
f81d8c9 
The unifiedlogs integration package names its data streams with
version suffixes (e.g. unifiedlogs-0.5.0) which breaks the
schema lookup. Renamed dataset keys to match expected format.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 (1M context) <noreply@anthropic.com>
@DefSecSentinel @claude
Fix event.dataset to match actual field value (unifiedlogs.log)
261fc4d 
data_stream.dataset is "unifiedlogs.unifiedlogs" but event.dataset
is set to "unifiedlogs.log" by the integration. Rules query on
event.dataset so must use the correct value.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 (1M context) <noreply@anthropic.com>
@DefSecSentinel @claude
Convert loginwindow and XProtect rules from KQL to ES|QL
49396d2 
KQL cannot query the message field (match_only_text type with no
keyword sub-field). ES|QL's LIKE operator works correctly on text
fields. Converted both rules to ES|QL with METADATA and KEEP.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 (1M context) <noreply@anthropic.com>
@DefSecSentinel @claude
Remove non-existent fields from ES|QL KEEP clause
8b28c21 
user.name, process.name, process.executable don't exist in
the unifiedlogs index. Removed from KEEP to prevent query errors.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 (1M context) <noreply@anthropic.com>
@DefSecSentinel @claude
Add log dataset alias in schema for event.dataset mapping
f09aba9 
event.dataset is unifiedlogs.log which maps to package=unifiedlogs,
integration=log. Schema needs a 'log' dataset key.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 (1M context) <noreply@anthropic.com>
@DefSecSentinel @claude
Update loginwindow rule to match actual log pattern
84c77a4 
The performAutolaunch pattern doesn't exist in the actual unified
logs on current macOS versions. The real login item execution
pattern is LoginItemsLauncher, which fires during user login
when login items are launched. Updated rule query and description.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 (1M context) <noreply@anthropic.com>
@DefSecSentinel @claude
Promote rules from development to production
16132ad 
Unified Logs integration is now GA. Rules are validated and
ready for production use.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 (1M context) <noreply@anthropic.com>
@DefSecSentinel @claude
Add "Resources: Investigation Guide" tag to loginwindow/xprotect rules
f1224dd 
Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 (1M context) <noreply@anthropic.com>
@DefSecSentinel @claude
Address review feedback: KEEP *, fix tags, revert non-ECS schema
a7fb122 
- Switch ES|QL rules from explicit KEEP field lists to KEEP *
- Fix tags: Domain: macOS -> Domain: Endpoint, add OS: macOS
- Revert non-ecs-schema.json addition of logs-unified_logs.log-*

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 (1M context) <noreply@anthropic.com>
@DefSecSentinel DefSecSentinel force-pushed the colson/loginwindow-xprotect-unified-log-detections branch from 1f99fa6 to a7fb122 Compare April 1, 2026 19:12
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tradebot-elastic commented Apr 1, 2026 •
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⛔️ Test failed

Results
  • ❌ XProtect Malware Scan Match Detected (esql)
    • coverage_issue: no_rta
    • stack_validation_failed: no_rta
  • ❌ Login Item Persistence Execution via Unified Logs (esql)
    • coverage_issue: no_rta
    • stack_validation_failed: no_rta

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Reviewers

@terrancedejesus terrancedejesus terrancedejesus approved these changes

@w0rk3r w0rk3r Awaiting requested review from w0rk3r

@Aegrah Aegrah Awaiting requested review from Aegrah

@Samirbous Samirbous Awaiting requested review from Samirbous

@Mikaayenson Mikaayenson Awaiting requested review from Mikaayenson Mikaayenson is a code owner

@eric-forte-elastic eric-forte-elastic Awaiting requested review from eric-forte-elastic eric-forte-elastic is a code owner

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