Tweaked Trojan Disables Automatic Updating of OS X Anti-Malware Tools

Last month, we noted as part of a report on an update to the anti-malware tools in OS X that a new trojan horse threat known as Flashback.A had surfaced, with the malware masquerading as a Flash Player installer. While Apple has continued to update its XProtect.plist to detect Flashback.A, security firm F-Secure now reports (via ZDNet) that a revised version of the trojan which disables the auto-updating feature of Apple's anti-malware tools has appeared.

There's something new brewing in Mac malware development (again).

Recent analysis has revealed to us that Trojan-Downloader:OSX/Flashback.C disables the automatic updater component of XProtect, Apple's built-in OS X anti-malware application.

The report walks through how the modified trojan overwrites XProtectUpdater files, preventing infected systems from performing their daily check for updated malware definitions and thus keeping the door open for future attacks.

flashback c installer
Flashback.C installer

The Flashback.C trojan is capable of connecting to a remote host in order to download and execute further code, but it is unclear what the exploit is being used for at this time. Users are of course advised to download Flash Player and other software from trusted sources so as to avoid infecting their systems with trojans such as Flashback.C.

Update: MacRumors has heard and Sophos has confirmed that Apple had already updated its XProtect.plist entries to detect Flashback.C by the time news of it broke to the public. Consequently, users encountering the malware on Mac OS X Snow Leopard or OS X Lion should be automatically warned of the threat prior to mounting the package.

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Top Rated Comments

RoboCop001 Avatar
174 months ago
I don't understand why these fools waste everyone's time by writing viruses, and I mean for any platform. Can't they put that energy and effort into something positive? :mad:
Score: 31 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Aduntu Avatar
174 months ago
They don't, this is a Trojan. Big difference :rolleyes:
Your sarcasm meter is obviously broken.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iStudentUK Avatar
174 months ago
Quick everyone download MacDefender!


(My team of lawyers require me to note that I'm not actually suggesting anyone download MacDefender.)
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
hobo.hopkins Avatar
174 months ago
I foresee this discussion degrading very quickly...

In reality all one needs to do is be cautious of where they are downloading files, and this wouldn't be a problem.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
KnightWRX Avatar
174 months ago
The irony. Love the self-assured arrogance though, very becoming...:rolleyes:

What Irony ? The guy is basically right, both those posts were grossly misinformed.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tubular Avatar
174 months ago
A couple questions

1 - how can we tell if a machine is infected?
2 - how, if infected, can we remove it, short of a clean install?
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)