Apple Macs’ malware-proof myth under fire
Following on from yesterday's story regarding the professionalisation of ransomware attacks, Symantec confirmed today that a "proof of concept" crypto-ransomware targeting Apple Macs does work. The Mabouia ransomware was developed by Brazilian cyber-security researcher, Rafael Salema Marques, and was sent to Symantec and Apple for verification: the aim of his work is apparently to "destroy the myth that there is no malware for Mac OS X". Apple has not commented.

Analysis by Symantec has confirmed that the proof-of-concept (PoC) threat known as Mabouia works as described and could be used to create functional OS X crypto ransomware if it fell into the wrong hands.

Mabouia (detected by Symantec as OSX.Ransomcrypt) was developed by Brazilian cybersecurity researcher Rafael Salema Marques, who wrote the PoC malware to highlight the fact that Macs may not be immune to the threat of ransomware.

Marques shared a sample of the ransomware with Symantec and Apple. Symantec’s analysis has confirmed that the PoC is functional. Marques said he has no intention of publicly releasing the malware.

Mabouia follows the tried-and-tested model used by many ransomware variants of encrypting files on the infected computer and sending the encryption key to a command-and-control (C&C) server. The malware displays payment instructions on the infected computer, including a unique ID the victim would need to use to retrieve a decryption key. This key can potentially be sent to the victim upon payment of a ransom.

In the case of Mabouia, because it’s a proof of concept, it only encrypts files saved in a directory called “ransom”. Most Mac users will not have a directory with this name on their computer.

Mabouia is the first case of file-based crypto ransomware for OS X, albeit a proof-of-concept. Macs have nevertheless already been targeted by ransomware in the form of browser-based threats. For example, in 2013, researchers at Malwarebytes discovered browser-based ransomware that targeted Safari for Mac users through a malicious website. The website directed Windows users to a drive-by download, while Mac users were served JavaScript that caused Safari to display persistent pop-ups informing the user their browser had been “locked” by the FBI for viewing illegal content.

Protection

Norton Security, Symantec Endpoint Protection, and other Symantec security products detect this threat as OSX.Ransomcrypt.