Transmission Malware Transmitted Through Server Hack, Downloaded 6,500 Times

Over the weekend, the first instance of Mac ransomware was found in a malicious update to the Transmission BitTorrent client. Version 2.90 of Transmission downloaded from the Transmission website was infected with "KeRanger" ransomware.

"Ransomware" is a class of malware that encrypts a user's hard drive and files, demanding money to decrypt it. In this case, KeRanger would have required Mac users to shell out a bitcoin for decryption, equivalent to approximately $400.

transmission-29
The developers behind Transmission have shared some additional details on the attack with Reuters, giving us some insight into how it occurred. The server that delivers the Transmission software to customers was breached in a cyber attack, allowing the KeRanger malware to be added to the disk-image of its software.

Transmission representative John Clay told Reuters via email that the ransomware was added to disk-image of its software after the project's server was compromised in a cyber attack.

"We're not commenting on the avenue of attack, other than to say that it was our main server that was compromised," he said. "The normal disk image (was) replaced by the compromised one."

During the time that the malware-infected version of Transmission was available, it was downloaded approximately 6,500 times before the vulnerability was discovered. Security on the server has since been increased, ensuring a similar attack can't occur a second time.

On Sunday, Transmission's developers released software updates to block the malicious software and to remove it from the Macs of users who had unwittingly installed the malicious version. Apple also updated its software protections to keep the malware from affecting Mac users and to prevent the bad version from being installed on additional machines.

Customers who have downloaded the Transmission BitTorrent client should make sure they have updated the software to version 2.92, which will remove the malware from infected computers. Additional details on how to determine if you have the malware installed are available through Palo Alto Networks.

Top Rated Comments

Junipr Avatar
92 months ago
I have zero sympathy for people who pirate stuff
Guessing the guys that think torrenting is strictly for piracy are the same guys that think an FBI backdoor gives us more freedom...
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
benjitek Avatar
92 months ago
It'd be nice if the Transmission developers would explain how their site got compromised.

Still no word from them at all. We need a statement from them to show how this happened and the steps they are taking to prevent it from happening again, otherwise all trust in this developer is pretty much gone.
It's an open source project, and they're probably scrambling to get rid of it, figure out how it got there, before they make a public statement. First fix was a ransomware free version, and the 2nd included detection and removal of the ransomware. So far, that's pretty darn good ;)
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
diddl14 Avatar
92 months ago
Guess this is why a restricted sandbox for each app is not such a bad idea...
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
zorinlynx Avatar
92 months ago
It'd be nice if the Transmission developers would explain how their site got compromised.

Still no word from them at all. We need a statement from them to show how this happened and the steps they are taking to prevent it from happening again, otherwise all trust in this developer is pretty much gone.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
oneMadRssn Avatar
92 months ago
I like that the Transmission developers built-in a solution to the problem into the update, instead of just telling users to get an anti-virus to figure it out. This is good of them, and something that I don't ever see in the Windows world.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TitoC Avatar
92 months ago
Torrenting is used overwhelming for pirating. I have zero sympathy for those that pirate.
First off - I have never been a fan of any torrent site or applications. I get all my files from legitimate sources and I pay for my music/videos.
I also have ZERO sympathy. But for people who know very little or who are completely oblivious to the real world use of torrenting and comment like they are in the "know" and lift their noses in disgust. I have several clients and collaborators who I constantly share very large files with. Many of my clients are game developers and video editors and they deal with large chunks of files that are much easier and quicker to download as a torrent as opposed to a large single file when collaborating.

Here are just a few examples of LEGAL everyday uses of torrenting:


* Blizzard Entertainment uses its own BitTorrent client to download World of Warcraft, Starcraft II, and Diablo III games. When you purchase one of these games and download it, you’re actually just downloading a BitTorrent client that will do the rest of the work.
* Facebook and Twitter Use BitTorrent Internally
* Many government agencies use torrent files.

While yes, most pirated items are shared and downloaded via torrent files, not all torrent files are used for pirating. That's like saying that most car thieves use coat hangers to break into cars so anyone who uses a coat hanger must be a thief. Please!
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iOS 16

Apple Releases iOS 16.4 With New Emoji, Safari Web Push Notifications, Beta Changes, Voice Isolation for Calls and More

Monday March 27, 2023 10:03 am PDT by
Apple today released iOS 16.4, the fourth major update to the iOS 16 operating system that initially came out last September. iOS 16.4 comes two months after the launch of iOS 16.3, an update that added Security Keys for Apple ID. iOS 16‌.4 and iPadOS 16.4 can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. It can take a few minutes...
iOS 16

iOS 16.4 Will Add These 8 New Features to Your iPhone

Sunday March 26, 2023 8:06 am PDT by
Following nearly six weeks of beta testing, iOS 16.4 is expected to be released to the public as soon as this week. The software update includes a handful of new features and changes for the iPhone 8 and newer. To install an iOS update, open the Settings app on the iPhone, tap General → Software Update, and follow the on-screen instructions. Below, we have recapped eight new features and...
apple mixed reality headset concept by david lewis and marcus kane

Some Apple Employees Seriously Concerned About Mixed-Reality Headset as Announcement Draws Closer

Sunday March 26, 2023 8:25 am PDT by
Some Apple employees are concerned about the usefulness and price point of the company's upcoming mixed-reality headset, The New York Times reports. Apple headset concept by David Lewis and Marcus Kane Initial enthusiasm around the device at the company has apparently become skepticism, according to eight current and former Apple employees speaking to The New York Times. The change of tone...
iOS 17 on Phone Feature

Gurman: iOS 17 to Provide Several 'Most Requested Features'

Sunday March 26, 2023 6:05 am PDT by
Apple changed the strategy for iOS 17 later in its development process to add several new features, suggesting that the update may be more significant than previously thought, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports. In January, Gurman said that iOS 17 could be a less significant update than iPhone updates in previous years due to the company's intense focus on its long-awaited mixed-reality...
apple tv 4k red image

Apple Releases tvOS 16.4 for Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD

Monday March 27, 2023 10:00 am PDT by
Apple today released tvOS 16.4, the fourth major point update to the tvOS 16 operating system that came out last September. Available for the Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD, tvOS 16.4 comes two months following the release of tvOS 16.3. The tvOS 16.4 update can be downloaded over the air through the Settings app on the ‌‌‌‌Apple TV‌‌‌‌ by going to System > Software Update....
Steve Jobs Theater dusk

Apple Reportedly Demoed Mixed-Reality Headset to Executives in the Steve Jobs Theater Last Week

Sunday March 26, 2023 5:53 am PDT by
Apple showcased its mixed-reality headset to the company's top 100 executives in the Steve Jobs Theater last week, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In the latest edition of his "Power On" newsletter, Gurman explained that the "momentous gathering" is a "key milestone" ahead of the headset's public announcement planned for June. The event was intended to rally Apple's top members of...
Apple Music Classical

Apple Explains Why It Launched an iPhone App Dedicated to Classical Music

Monday March 27, 2023 8:54 pm PDT by
Apple today published a support document explaining why it decided to release a standalone Apple Music Classical app for classical music. In short, Apple says the app was designed to support classical music's complex metadata:Classical music is different. It has longer and more detailed titles, multiple artists for each work, and hundreds of recordings of well-known pieces. The Apple Music...
iPhone 15 Pro Buttons CAD Leak

iPhone 15 Pro Low-Energy Chip to Allow Solid-State Buttons to Work When Device is Off or Out of Battery

Wednesday March 29, 2023 1:54 am PDT by
The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max will use a new ultra-low energy microprocessor allowing certain features like the new capacitive solid-state buttons to remain functional even when the handset is powered off or the battery has run out, according to a source that shared details on the MacRumors forums. CAD-based render of new solid-state buttons on iPhone 15 Pro models The source of this rumor is ...