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Attack Patterns T1010 — Application Window Discovery
T1010

Application Window Discovery

Discovery
TLP:CLEAR

Description

Adversaries may attempt to get a listing of open application windows. Window listings could convey information about how the system is used.(Citation: Prevailion DarkWatchman 2021) For example, information about application windows could be used identify potential data to collect as well as identifying security tooling (Security Software Discovery) to evade.(Citation: ESET Grandoreiro April 2020) Adversaries typically abuse system features for this type of enumeration. For example, they may gather information through native system features such as Command and Scripting Interpreter commands and Native API functions.

MITRE ATT&CK Detection Strategies
1

DET0097 Detection of Application Window Enumeration via API or Scripting
AN0272 Linux

Scripted or binary usage of X11 utilities (e.g., xdotool, wmctrl) or direct /proc/*/window mappings to discover open GUI windows and active desktops.

auditd:EXECVE linus:syslog
AN0273 macOS

Processes that utilize AppleScript, `CGWindowListCopyWindowInfo`, or `NSRunningApplication` APIs to list active application windows and foreground processes.

macos:unifiedlog macos:osquery
AN0271 Windows

Processes using Win32 API calls (e.g., EnumWindows, GetForegroundWindow) or scripting tools (e.g., PowerShell, VBScript) to enumerate open windows. These often appear with reconnaissance or data collection TTPs.

WinEventLog:Sysmon WinEventLog:PowerShell

Details

Platforms
Linux
Macos
Windows
Added
May 2, 2026
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