Pbpaste Execution via Unusual Parent Process

Last updated 8 days ago on 2026-02-03

Created 12 days ago on 2026-01-30

About

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.

Tags

Domain: EndpointOS: macOSUse Case: Threat DetectionTactic: CollectionData Source: Elastic DefendLanguage: eql

Severity

high

Risk Score

MITRE ATT&CK™

Collection (TA0009)(external, opens in a new tab or window)

↳ Clipboard Data (T1115)(external, opens in a new tab or window)

License

Elastic License v2(external, opens in a new tab or window)

Definition

Rule Type: Event Correlation Rule
Integration Pack: Prebuilt Security Detection Rules
Index Patterns: logs-endpoint.events.process-*
Related Integrations: endpoint(external, opens in a new tab or window)
Query

✄𐘗text code block:
✄𐘗process where host.os.type == "macos" and event.type == "start" and event.action == "exec" and
  process.name == "pbpaste" and process.args_count == 1 and
  (process.parent.name in ("node", "osascript") or process.parent.name like "python*") and
  not process.parent.executable like "/Users/*/.pyenv/versions/*/bin/python3*"

Install detection rules in Elastic Security

Detect Pbpaste Execution via Unusual Parent Process in the Elastic Security detection engine by installing this rule into your Elastic Stack.

To setup this rule, check out the installation guide for Prebuilt Security Detection Rules(external, opens in a new tab or window).