macOS AuthorizationExecuteWithPrivileges Elevation Prompt Detection

ID: DET0395
Domains: Enterprise
Analytics: AN1111
Version: 1.0
Created: 21 October 2025
Last Modified: 21 October 2025

Analytics

AN1111

Detects abuse of AuthorizationExecuteWithPrivileges API to gain elevated privileges via user credential prompts, typically through invocation of /usr/libexec/security_authtrampoline. Detection involves correlation of API usage, binary reputation, and prompt context.

Log Sources
Data Component Name Channel
Process Creation (DC0032) macos:unifiedlog Execution of /usr/libexec/security_authtrampoline or child processes originating from non-trusted binaries triggering credential prompts
OS API Execution (DC0021) macos:unifiedlog Calls to AuthorizationExecuteWithPrivileges() observed via Apple System Logger or security_auditing tools
User Account Authentication (DC0002) macos:unifiedlog User credential prompt events without associated trusted installer package
Mutable Elements
Field Description
BinaryReputationList Allow list of trusted binaries invoking elevation prompts
TimeWindow Temporal correlation threshold between API call and credential prompt
PromptContextValidation Heuristic filters to determine whether a prompt context matches known legitimate installers