What You Need to Know About Mac Malware 'Backdoor.MAC.Eleanor'

EasyDoc-ConverterInternet security software company Bitdefender's research lab has disclosed new malware targeting Macs called Backdoor.MAC.Eleanor [PDF]. Learn more about the malware and how to keep your Mac protected against attackers.

What is Backdoor.MAC.Eleanor?

Backdoor.MAC.Eleanor is new OS X/macOS malware arising from a malicious third-party app called EasyDoc Converter, which poses as a drag-and-drop file converter.

What is EasyDoc Converter?

"EasyDoc Converter.app" is a third-party Mac app that poses as a drag-and-drop file converter. The app has the following fake description:

EasyDoc Converter is a fast and simple file converter for OS X. Instantly convert your FreeOffice (.fof) and SimpleStats (.sst) docs to Microsoft Office (.docx) by dropping your file onto the app. EasyDoc Converter is great for employees and students looking for a simple tool for quickly convert files to the popular Microsoft format. EasyDoc Converter lets you get to work quickly by using a simple, clean, drag-and-drop interface. The converted document will be saved in the same directory of the original file.

EasyDoc Converter was previously available on software download website MacUpdate, but the app was removed by July 5. It may remain available for download elsewhere online. The app was never available through the Mac App Store.

The app was created with Platypus, a developer tool used for native Mac apps from shell, Perl, Python or Ruby scripts.

How is Backdoor.MAC.Eleanor distributed?

Backdoor.MAC.Eleanor infects Macs with EasyDoc Converter installed. The app installs a malicious script that is registered to system startup and allows an attacker to anonymously access the infected Mac.

How does Backdoor.MAC.Eleanor put my Mac at risk?

Backdoor.MAC.Eleanor creates a Tor hidden service that provides attackers with full anonymous access to the infected Mac remotely through a PHP-based local web server dubbed Web Service – via a Tor-generated address.

Backdoor-EasyDoc
Attackers then have the ability to access and modify files, execute shell commands, capture images and videos from iSight or FaceTime webcams, and more through a web-based control panel:

• File manager (view, edit, rename, delete, upload, download, and archive files)
• Command execution (execute commands)
• Script execution (execute scripts in PHP, PERL, Python, Ruby, Java, C)
• Shell via bind/reverse shell connect (remotely execute root commands)
• Simple packet crafter (probe firewall rule-sets and find entry points into a targeted system or network)
• Connect and administer databases
• Process list/task manager (access the list of processes and apps running)
• Send emails with attached files

What is a Tor hidden service?

Tor is free software that allows for anonymous communication over a computer network, known as onion routing. The software essentially re-routes network traffic through a network of computers so that it cannot be traced back to its source IP address, allowing users to browse the internet without being identified.

Tor hidden services are websites or servers configured to accept inbound connections only when they are routed through the anonymity network. A hidden service is accessed through its "onion" address, such as XXXpaceinbeg3yci.onion, which the attacker can connect to to gain remote control of the infected Mac.

Which Macs are affected?

MacUpdate listed EasyDoc Converter's system requirements as Intel-based Macs running OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard) or later. OS X Snow Leopard is compatible with Macs that have at least 1GB of RAM and 5GB of free disk space.

Backdoor.MAC.Eleanor is thereby capable of infecting mid 2007 or newer MacBook models, all MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models, mid 2007 or newer Mac mini and iMac models, and all Mac Pro models.

Identify your Mac model by clicking on the Apple logo in the top-left macOS menu bar and selecting "About This Mac."

How do I protect myself against Backdoor.MAC.Eleanor?

The most important and obvious preventative measure is to avoid downloading "EasyDoc Converter.app" from any source. Installing unfamiliar apps from unidentified developers is almost always a security risk.

Apple's default Gatekeeper security settings already prevent EasyDoc Converter from opening, unless you ignore the warning dialog and proceed to manually open the app under System Preferences > Security & Privacy.

Mac users can also download a trusted anti-malware app such as BlockBlock, which continually monitors common persistence locations and displays an alert whenever a persistent component is added to the system.

Users that already installed EasyDoc Converter can download anti-malware software Malwarebytes, which has already been updated to detect and remove Backdoor.MAC.Eleanor.

How will Apple deal with this malware?

Apple will likely update its "Xprotect" anti-malware system to block EasyDoc Converter.

Top Rated Comments

GenesisST Avatar
88 months ago
It's an OS X virus not Mac OS if we're honest ;)
And not even a virus
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Glassed Silver Avatar
88 months ago
Sooooo... don't download stuff that isn't from the App Store. Check and check.
Lucky you if your computer usage gets by using only App Store applications.

Then again, eventually I decided to use the MAS more as a means to find applications and then get them from the company's own website.
Often you can snatch them up cheaper (for example EDU discounts) and the applications are more capable.

Glassed Silver:mac
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
RDeckard Avatar
88 months ago
"The most important and obvious preventative measure is to avoid downloading "EasyDoc Converter.app" from any source."

Easy enough.

Let's see how much press this gets vs. "HummingBad" malware that's infected millions of Android handsets.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Derekeys Avatar
88 months ago
Sooooo... don't download stuff that isn't from the App Store. Check and check.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sir1963nz Avatar
88 months ago
MacUpdate being used to distribute malware yet again....People need to stick with the App Store. I think at this point we should assume anything downloaded from MacUpdate probably has malware of some sort.
The fact that MacUpdate send you their updater App NOT the file you asked for killed MacUpdate for me.
ANY system that does this is a malware site and can no longer be trusted.

If you are forced to use MacUpdate, ALWAY click the link to download from the developers site so MacUpdate can not try to install their software.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dwaltwhit Avatar
88 months ago
But will it really convert my documents?
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

maxresdefault

Apple Announces WWDC 2023 Event Taking Place June 5 to 9

Wednesday March 29, 2023 9:58 am PDT by
Apple today announced that its 34th annual Worldwide Developers Conference will take place from Monday, June 5 to Friday, June 9. Like WWDC 2020, 2021, and 2022, WWDC 2023 will be an online event for the most part, and it will be open to all developers at no cost. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Apple will provide online sessions and labs, which will allow...
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 ...
CarPlay Phone Call

General Motors to Phase Out Apple CarPlay Starting This Year in EV Transition

Friday March 31, 2023 8:43 am PDT by
General Motors (GM) will phase out Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in its vehicles starting this year, shifting to a built-in infotainment system co-developed with Google (via Reuters). GM owns Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC in the United States. It will stop offering Apple CarPlay and Android Auto starting with the 2024 Chevrolet Blazer, which goes on sale this summer. The company plans ...
iPhone 15 Pro Multi Purpose button Mute Switch Feature Green 2

iPhone 15 Pro Rumored to Feature Multi-Use Action Button Instead of Mute Switch

Wednesday March 29, 2023 7:28 am PDT by
iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max models are rumored to feature a customizable Action button like the Apple Watch Ultra, according to a MacRumors forum member who leaked accurate details about the Dynamic Island on iPhone 14 Pro models last year. The source claimed the Action button will replace the Ring/Silent switch that has been included on every iPhone model since 2007. They did not...
iOS 16

iOS 16.4 Now Available for Your iPhone With These 8 New Features

Friday March 31, 2023 8:55 am PDT by
Following six weeks of beta testing, iOS 16.4 was released to the public 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 changes added with iOS 16.4,...
iOS 17 on Phone Feature

Three New iOS Features Coming to Your iPhone Following Apple Music Classical

Thursday March 30, 2023 7:13 am PDT by
With the Apple Music Classical app and an Apple Pay Later early access program now available, the list of previously-announced iOS features that have yet to launch is beginning to shrink. However, there are still a few features we are waiting for. Below, we have recapped three more iOS features that are expected to launch in 2023, including an Apple Card savings account for Daily Cash,...
apple mixed reality headset concept by david lewis and marcus kane

Kuo: Apple Mixed-Reality Headset May Not Appear at WWDC as Mass Production Pushed Back Yet Again

Thursday March 30, 2023 4:50 am PDT by
Apple has again pushed back mass production of its mixed-reality headset and the device may not appear at this year's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo today said. Apple headset concept by David Lewis and Marcus Kane In a tweet, Kuo explained that Apple "isn't very optimistic" about whether the headset will be able to create an "iPhone moment." As a result,...