t1543-001-launch-agent

name	T1543.001_launch-agent
description	Adversaries may create or modify launch agents to repeatedly execute malicious payloads as part of persistence.
category	configuration
version	18.1
author	cyberstrike-official
tags	["mitre-attack","enterprise","t1543.001","persistence","privilege-escalation","macos","sub-technique"]
technique_id	T1543.001
tactic	persistence
all_tactics	["persistence","privilege-escalation"]
platforms	["macOS"]
mitre_url	https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1543/001
tech_stack	["macos"]
cwe_ids	["CWE-276"]
chains_with	["T1543","T1543.002","T1543.003","T1543.004","T1543.005"]
prerequisites	["T1543"]
severity_boost	{"T1543":"Chain with T1543 for deeper attack path","T1543.002":"Chain with T1543.002 for deeper attack path","T1543.003":"Chain with T1543.003 for deeper attack path"}

T1543.001 Launch Agent

Sub-technique of: T1543

High-Level Description

Adversaries may create or modify launch agents to repeatedly execute malicious payloads as part of persistence. When a user logs in, a per-user launchd process is started which loads the parameters for each launch-on-demand user agent from the property list (.plist) file found in /System/Library/LaunchAgents, /Library/LaunchAgents, and ~/Library/LaunchAgents. Property list files use the Label, ProgramArguments , and RunAtLoad keys to identify the Launch Agent's name, executable location, and execution time. Launch Agents are often installed to perform updates to programs, launch user specified programs at login, or to conduct other developer tasks.

Launch Agents can also be executed using the Launchctl command.

Adversaries may install a new Launch Agent that executes at login by placing a .plist file into the appropriate folders with the RunAtLoad or KeepAlive keys set to true. The Launch Agent name may be disguised by using a name from the related operating system or benign software. Launch Agents are created with user level privileges and execute with user level permissions.

Kill Chain Phase

• Persistence (TA0003)
• Privilege Escalation (TA0004)

Platforms: macOS

What to Check

• Identify if Launch Agent technique is applicable to target environment
• Check macOS systems for indicators of Launch Agent
• Verify mitigations are bypassed or absent (1 known mitigations)
• Assess detection coverage (1 detection strategies)

How to Test

Atomic Red Team Tests

The following tests are from Atomic Red Team and provide actionable ways to test this technique:

Atomic Test 1: Launch Agent

Create a plist and execute it

Supported Platforms: macos Elevation Required: Yes

if [ ! -d ~/Library/LaunchAgents ]; then  ~/Library/LaunchAgents; ;
  
 launchctl load -w ~/Library/LaunchAgents/#{plist_filename}