MUGTHESEC Mac Adware

A new variant of the OperatorMac malware has been discovered named MUGTHESEC that pretends to be Adobe Flash Player.

Threat ID:: CC-1576
Category:: Browser-hijack, Adware
Threat Severity:: Low
Threat Vector:: Download
Published:: 15 August 2017 12:00 AM

Report a cyber attack: call 0300 303 5222 or email [email protected]

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Summary

A new variant of the OperatorMac malware has been discovered named MUGTHESEC that pretends to be Adobe Flash Player.

Affected platforms

The following platforms are known to be affected:

macOS

Apple OS X – all versions

Threat details

If it detects it’s in a virtualised environment it will install a legitimate copy of Adobe Flash Player. It requires user interaction to both download the malware and then install it.

The new iteration of the malware has been packed with anti-VM detection system. For analysis purposes, you can circumvent the anti-VM detection by changing the MAC address under the network adapter settings in the virtualisation client. MUGTHESEC is signed by a valid Apple developer certification, allowing it to bypass checks by Apple’s GateKeeper. Once installed, the malware is able to deliver other malicious payloads and can hijack the victim's browser for financial gain by injecting adverts.

Detection by anti-virus engines currently remains low.

Remediation steps

Type	Step
	Consider white-listing applications. Make sure that cyber-awareness training is kept up-to-date. Make sure that malware definitions are kept up-to-date. Consider using adblocking software which is available for all major browsers.

Last edited: 17 February 2020 11:36 am