CyberWire Daily Caught in the contagious interview. [Research Saturday]
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Mar 1, 2025 Phil Stokes, a threat researcher at SentinelOne's SentinelLabs, delves into the alarming world of macOS malware, particularly the FlexibleFerret variant linked to North Korean actors. He discusses the 'Contagious Interview' campaign, where fake job interviews lure developers into installing malicious software. The conversation highlights the gaps in Apple's security measures, the significance of robust data protection, and the misconception that macOS is invulnerable. Stokes emphasizes the need for proactive security practices in a landscape where all operating systems are at risk.
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Flexible Ferret Operation
- Flexible Ferret uses a decoy warning mimicking macOS Gatekeeper to trick users.
- It runs a persistence agent and downloads a GoBinary backdoor while exfiltrating user passwords to Dropbox.
Bypassing macOS Security
- Flexible Ferret bypassed macOS security by using a valid developer ID and notarization.
- Apple revoked the signature and ticket, highlighting a potential weakness in the notarization process.
Cross-Platform Security
- Treat all operating systems equally in terms of security, employing protective measures across all platforms.
- Don't solely rely on OS vendors; use additional security tools to stay protected.