TA0003 · PERSISTENCE
Re-opened Applications
Adversaries may modify plist files to automatically run an application when a user logs in.
Detect it with
Monitoring the specific plist files associated with reopening applications can indicate when an application has registered itself to be reopened.
Why it matters on shift
Re-opened Applications is one of the concrete ways adversaries achieve persistence. Recognising it in telemetry lets you name the technique in your ticket and pivot to what came before and after.
What to look for next
After persistence, the next tactic is usually Privilege Escalation. Search your telemetry for the transition before closing the ticket.
Kill-chain context