A new version of Xagent, malware reportedly created by Russian hacking group APT28, has been discovered, and this version targets Mac users.

As outlined in a blog post by antivirus company Bitdefender (via Ars Technica), Xagent has previously been used to infiltrate Windows, iOS, Android, and Linux devices, but now Macs are vulnerable to attack as well. This is the first version of Xagent that's believed to be able to infiltrate Macs.

macbook pros 2015
The Mac version of Xagent is described as a backdoor that can be customized to do things like log passwords, detect system configurations, execute files, take screenshots of the display, and access iOS backups stored on the Mac.

The sample we are discussing today has been linked to the Mac OSX version of Xagent component from Sofacy/APT28/Sednit APT. This modular backdoor with advanced cyber-espionage capabilities is most likely planted on the system via the Komplex downloader.

Once successfully installed, the backdoor checks if a debugger is attached to the process. If it detects one, it terminates itself to prevent execution. Otherwise, it waits for an Internet connection before initiating communication with the C&C servers.

After the communication has been established, the payload starts the modules. Our preliminary analysis shows most of the C&C URLs impersonate Apple domains.

APT28 is the cyberespionage group that has been accused of hacking into the U.S. Democratic National Committee last year and interfering with the 2016 presidential election.

Bitdefender isn't entirely sure how the Mac version of Xagent is being distributed to users, but it could be spread via a macOS malware downloader called Komplex, which exploits a vulnerability in the virus-like MacKeeper software. Research on the malware is ongoing.

Mac users concerned about Xagent should avoid downloading anything that doesn't come from the Mac App Store or a well-known developer.

Note: Due to the political nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Politics, Religion, Social Issues forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

Top Rated Comments

bluespark Avatar
86 months ago
A malware discussion is political? Everyone should be able to comment on this.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
manu chao Avatar
86 months ago
Maybe it is time that MacKeeper is classified as malware by anti-malware applications ...
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
keysofanxiety Avatar
86 months ago
Maybe it is time that MacKeeper is classified as malware by anti-malware applications ...
It is. MalwareBytes deletes it.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
John.B Avatar
86 months ago
Mac users concerned about Xagent should avoid downloading anything that doesn't come from the Mac App Store or a well-known developer.
The attack vector is based on a vulnerability in Mackeeper.

Keep that off your Mac and you'll be fine.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Kajje Avatar
86 months ago
Installation of that Mackeeper pest should be blocked on firmware level.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
997440 Avatar
86 months ago
More information on this issue from @thomasareed. He's unable to post here because he has less than 100 posts.

He wanted to let us "know that this new "XAgent" variant of Komplex has absolutely no relation to a MacKeeper exploit. The writer has conflated this variant with one specific older variant from 2015. As much as I'd like to be able to blame MacKeeper, that vulnerability was closed in 2015, and there's no indication whatsoever that MacKeeper is in any way involved with the "XAgent" variant."





(Mr. Reed works for Malwarebytes and codes Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for Mac. Prior to this he developed Adware Medic and wrote extensively about security matters, and other Mac matters, at thesafemac((dot))com.)
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iphone se 4 modified flag edges

iPhone SE 4 Details: Action Button, USB-C Port, Face ID, and More

Wednesday September 27, 2023 1:34 pm PDT by
Significant changes are expected to arrive with Apple's fourth-generation iPhone SE, in terms of both design and hardware, MacRumors has learned. The iPhone SE 4, known internally under the codename Ghost, is expected to receive a new design derived almost entirely from the base model iPhone 14. According to our sources, the iPhone SE 4 will use a modified version of the iPhone 14 chassis...
iOS 17

Apple Releases iOS 17.0.2 and iPadOS 17.0.2 for All iPhones and iPads

Tuesday September 26, 2023 12:47 pm PDT by
Apple today released iOS 17.0.2 and iPadOS 17.0.2 updates, with the software coming five days after the releases of iOS 17.0.1 and iPadOS 17.0.1. Today's iOS 17.0.2 and iPadOS 17.0.2 updates arrive as build 21A351 and can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. Note that iOS 17.0.2 was previously made available for iPhone...
iPhone 15 Pro Lineup Feature

Kuo: iPhone 15 Pro Overheating Issues Likely Due to Thermal Compromises, Not 3nm Node

Tuesday September 26, 2023 9:12 am PDT by
Complaints about heat issues with the iPhone 15 Pro models are not related to TSMC's 3-nanometer node that was used for the A17 Pro chip, according to well-respected Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Kuo says that overheating could be caused by "compromises made in the thermal system design" that allowed Apple to cut down on the weight of the iPhone 15 Pro models. Kuo says that the reduced heat...
iOS 17

Everything New in iOS 17.1 Beta 1

Wednesday September 27, 2023 1:57 pm PDT by
Just a week after releasing iOS 17, Apple has seeded the first beta of iOS 17.1 to developers. iOS 17.1 adds some features that Apple promised were coming to iOS 17 in the future, plus it refines and improves some existing features. This guide covers everything new in the first iOS 17.1 beta. Apple Music Favorites You can favorite songs, albums, playlists, and artists in the iOS 17.1...
macos sonoma 4

Apple Releases macOS Sonoma With New Widget Features, Safari Updates, Screen Sharing Improvements and More

Tuesday September 26, 2023 10:01 am PDT by
Apple today released macOS 14 Sonoma, the newest version of the operating system that runs on the Mac. macOS Sonoma has been in beta testing for several months, and it is compatible with the 2019 and later iMac, the iMac Pro, the 2018 and later Mac mini, the 2018 and later MacBook Pro, the 2019 and later Mac Pro, and the Mac Studio. The ‌macOS Sonoma update can be downloaded for free on...