{'created': '2019-12-03T14:25:00.538Z',
 'created_by_ref': 'identity--c78cb6e5-0c4b-4611-8297-d1b8b55e40b5',
 'description': 'Adversaries may abuse the <code>cron</code> utility to '
                'perform task scheduling for initial or recurring execution of '
                'malicious code.(Citation: 20 macOS Common Tools and '
                'Techniques) The <code>cron</code> utility is a time-based job '
                'scheduler for Unix-like operating systems.  The <code> '
                'crontab</code> file contains the schedule of cron entries to '
                'be run and the specified times for execution. Any '
                '<code>crontab</code> files are stored in operating '
                'system-specific file paths.\n'
                '\n'
                'An adversary may use <code>cron</code> in Linux or Unix '
                'environments to execute programs at system startup or on a '
                'scheduled basis for '
                '[Persistence](https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0003). In '
                'ESXi environments, cron jobs must be created directly via the '
                'crontab file (e.g., '
                '`/var/spool/cron/crontabs/root`).(Citation: CloudSEK ESXiArgs '
                '2023)',
 'external_references': [{'external_id': 'T1053.003',
                          'source_name': 'mitre-attack',
                          'url': 'https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1053/003'},
                         {'description': 'Mehardeep Singh Sawhney. (2023, '
                                         'February 9). Analysis of Files Used '
                                         'in ESXiArgs Ransomware Attack '
                                         'Against VMware ESXi Servers. '
                                         'Retrieved March 26, 2025.',
                          'source_name': 'CloudSEK ESXiArgs 2023',
                          'url': 'https://www.cloudsek.com/blog/analysis-of-files-used-in-esxiargs-ransomware-attack-against-vmware-esxi-servers'},
                         {'description': 'Phil Stokes. (2021, February 16). 20 '
                                         'Common Tools & Techniques Used by '
                                         'macOS Threat Actors & Malware. '
                                         'Retrieved August 23, 2021.',
                          'source_name': '20 macOS Common Tools and Techniques',
                          'url': 'https://labs.sentinelone.com/20-common-tools-techniques-used-by-macos-threat-actors-malware/'}],
 'id': 'attack-pattern--2acf44aa-542f-4366-b4eb-55ef5747759c',
 'kill_chain_phases': [{'kill_chain_name': 'mitre-attack',
                        'phase_name': 'execution'},
                       {'kill_chain_name': 'mitre-attack',
                        'phase_name': 'persistence'},
                       {'kill_chain_name': 'mitre-attack',
                        'phase_name': 'privilege-escalation'}],
 'modified': '2025-10-24T17:48:33.856Z',
 'name': 'Cron',
 'object_marking_refs': ['marking-definition--fa42a846-8d90-4e51-bc29-71d5b4802168'],
 'revoked': False,
 'spec_version': '2.1',
 'type': 'attack-pattern',
 'x_mitre_attack_spec_version': '3.2.0',
 'x_mitre_deprecated': False,
 'x_mitre_detection': '',
 'x_mitre_domains': ['enterprise-attack'],
 'x_mitre_is_subtechnique': True,
 'x_mitre_modified_by_ref': 'identity--c78cb6e5-0c4b-4611-8297-d1b8b55e40b5',
 'x_mitre_platforms': ['Linux', 'macOS', 'ESXi'],
 'x_mitre_version': '1.3'}