Eltima Software's Elmedia Player and Folx Infected With Malware

Friday October 20, 2017 3:41 PM PDT by Juli Clover
Mac owners who have recently downloaded Elmedia Player or Folx from Eltima Software may have unwittingly installed malware on their machines, reports ZDNet.

Downloads of Folx and Elmedia player were infected with Proton, a Remote Access Trojan, after Eltima's servers were hacked. The Proton backdoor lets attackers access browser information, keylogs, usernames, passwords, macOS keychain data, and more.

In an email to ZDNet, an Eltima spokesperson said that the malware was distributed with downloads as a result of their servers being "hacked" after attackers "used a security breach in the tiny_mce JavaScript library on our server."
The compromised software was discovered on October 19, and customers who downloaded software from Eltima on that date before 3:15 p.m. Eastern Time may be affected by the malware. The following files will be found on an infected system:

- /tmp/Updater.app/
- /Library/LaunchAgents/com.Eltima.UpdaterAgent.plist
- /Library/.rand/
- /Library/.rand/updateragent.app/

Apple and Eltima have disabled the developer ID that was used to sign the Proton-infected software bundle, and Eltima is working with Apple to figure out what happened.

Anyone who was impacted by the malware will need to reinstall macOS to get rid of it. Eltima says it has taken action to prevent against further attacks and improve its server security. Clean versions of Elmedia Player and Folx are now available from the Eltima website.
52 comments


Top Rated Comments

(View all)
Avatar
Makosuke
15 months ago

Anyone who was impacted by the malware will need to reinstall macOS to get rid of it.

That is a heck of a removal procedure. Is there really no way to purge this without a full OS reinstall?
Rating: 7 Votes
Avatar
Scooz
15 months ago
Since I already suspected Eltima of being some agency outlet, since their software portfolio seems too good and diverse to be true and with deep roots into the system and network level while regularly lacking the last bit of polish, I am not surprised. :cool:

So I guess they are just checking out Apple‘s internal procedures for further infiltration now. :eek:

Of course, if they‘re not the dark hats themselves, they are a perfect target due the same reasons...

But then their strange office address...

Ah, have to hide...

</tinfoil>
Rating: 5 Votes
Avatar
Wackery
15 months ago

Clean versions of Elmedia Player and Folx are now available from the Eltima website.


optimistic thinking. No one’s downloading this anymore even if it’s fixed.
Rating: 5 Votes
Avatar
MH01
15 months ago

I had Transmission, their servers got infected.
I had Handbrake, their servers got infected.
I was trying out Elmedia Player, their servers got infected.

.. This is why I only use AppStore apps now. Apple's vetting may not be 100% accurate, but at least they have a vetting process.

Luckily my needs are not very complicated, so I can usually find alternatives on the AppStore.


Please tell us what other software you use :p
Rating: 5 Votes
Avatar
msandersen
15 months ago
A timely reminder for me to do a complete system backup with Carbon Copy Cloner, which I was gonna do anyway before upgrading my system. Of course, if I had been infected, it would have been too late, if the only remedy is to reinstall. Drastic measure. At least, once done, you have a clean bootable system to revert to.
[doublepost=1508539800][/doublepost]

That is a heck of a removal procedure. Is there really no way to purge this without a full OS reinstall?

Presumably since this is a Trojan backdoor, not only can they control your system remotely, stealing your passwords, files etc, but they can install anything anywhere they want, and you have no way of knowing what, hence a clean install is the only way to be sure.
Rating: 3 Votes
Avatar
Kaibelf
15 months ago
Can we just pin this artlcle as a quick reference for all the people who complain about not being able to side load apps outside of the legit iOS App Store as well?
Rating: 2 Votes
Avatar
Kaibelf
15 months ago

I also bought a License for Little snitch, but to be honest.. I am still learning how to use it, the learning curve isn't easy :(:eek::oops:



Thank you very much for your extremely useful information! :), About malwares in a Mac, I am the newbies on the block :confused:, I have more questions but I am afraid to ask :oops:


Never be afraid to ask! For the most part the people here on MR are nice and if you ask a legitimate question politely one or more people will try to help. We were all newbies once.
Rating: 2 Votes
Avatar
miscend
15 months ago
Does this affect those that downloaded Elmedia from the app store?
Rating: 2 Votes
Avatar
johannnn
15 months ago
I had Transmission, their servers got infected.
I had Handbrake, their servers got infected.
I was trying out Elmedia Player, their servers got infected.

.. This is why I only use AppStore apps now. Apple's vetting may not be 100% accurate, but at least they have a vetting process.

Luckily my needs are not very complicated, so I can usually find alternatives on the AppStore.
Rating: 2 Votes
Avatar
coolfactor
15 months ago

Anyone who was impacted by the malware will need to reinstall macOS to get rid of it.


That is a heck of a removal procedure. Is there really no way to purge this without a full OS reinstall?


No kidding. I think that's a bit extreme, too. Likely just removing the files and restarting is enough, unless the infection is deeper.
Rating: 2 Votes
[ Read All Comments ]