Apple users need to watch out for a new malware

Global leader in enterprise security, Palo Alto Networks, has announced the discovery of a new family of Apple OS X and iOS malware exhibiting characteristics unseen in any previously documented threats targeting Apple platforms.

This new family, dubbed WireLurker, marks a new era in malware across Apple’s desktop and mobile platforms, representing a potential threat to businesses, governments and Apple customers worldwide.

WireLurker represents:

• The first known malware family that can infect installed iOS applications similar to how a traditional virus would
• The first in-the-wild malware family that can install third-party applications on non-jail broken iOS devices through enterprise provisioning
• Only the second known malware family that attacks iOS devices through OS X via USB
• The first malware family to automate generation of malicious iOS applications through binary file replacement

WireLurker malware was discovered by Claud Xiao of Unit 42, the Palo Alto Networks threat intelligence team, and detailed in this report: “WireLurker: A New Era in OS X and iOS Malware”

"WireLurker is unlike anything we’ve ever seen in terms of Apple iOS and OS X malware. The techniques in use suggest that bad actors are getting more sophisticated when it comes to exploiting some of the world’s best-known desktop and mobile platforms…” said Ryan Olson, Intelligence Director, Unit 42, Palo Alto Networks

Following its initial observation in the wild in June by a developer at Tencent, Palo Alto Networks researchers have determined WireLurker’s potential impact, assessed the methods available to prevent, detect, contain and remediate the threat.

Access the tool to detect the WireLurker malware family on OS X here