Researchers with the Russian multi-national security company Kaspersky have discovered a new OS X malware, dubbed Ventir. Reportedly it contains a keylogger, a Trojan, and a backdoor that allows the hackers to keep on accessing compromised machines. Reportedly, Ventir is lined up next to the most sophisticated computer malware, which can only suggest that hackers are now targeting Macs more increasingly. OS X used to be untouched by crooks in the past, but as the market value of the Apple products increased, the attention of the cybercriminals got drawn them.
What Does Ventir Do?
As the Ventir infiltrates the targeted machine, the dropper component of the Trojan tries to establish if it has root access to the compromised PC. This is of highest importance to the process of installation of the malware. In case it manages to gain root access, Ventir can do way more harm to the affected machine. This is why computer users, both Windows and Mac, are recommended to avoid using administrator-privileged accounts when they browse the Web.
The keylogging component of the new malware piece is able to log every key that is being pressed on the victim’s PC and send the logs to the creators of the malware. This way the cyber-crooks can get their hands on email addresses, passwords, search queries, browsing history, contacts, etc.
Ventir Involved in Data Theft Campaigns?
Researchers believe that Ventir may have been used in data theft campaigns recently. They associate the malware from the same family as Ventir with the current leaks of credentials from Gmail, Mail.ru and Yandex.
The keylogger’s kernel extension of the malware is open-source code that is available on GitHub for free, which according to the security experts makes it easier for the hackers to create new malware versions. Users should only expect the amount of Trojan-Spy programs to increase in the feature.
Kaspersky Lists the Following Features of Ventir
As soon as it is launched, the dropper checks whether it has root access by calling the geteuid () function. The result of the check determines where the Trojan’s files will be installed:
- If it has root access, the files will be installed in /Library/.local and /Library/LaunchDaemons;
- If it does not have root access, the files will be installed in ~/Library/.local and ~/Library/LaunchAgents (“~” stands for the path to the current user’s home directory).
- All files of the Trojan to be downloaded to the victim machine are initially located in the “__data” section of the dropper file.
EventMonitor spying component is used only if elevated privileges are not obtained. “Immediately before processing a keystroke, the malware determines the name of the process whose window is currently active,” says Kuzin in a blog post.
As a result, the following files will be installed on the infected system:
- Library/.local/updated – re-launches files update and EventMonitor in the event of unexpected termination.
- Library/.local/reweb – used to re-launch the file updated.
- Library/.local/update – the backdoor module.
- Library/.local/libweb.db – the malicious program’s database file. Initially contains the Trojan’s global settings, such as the C&C address.
- Library/LaunchAgents (or LaunchDaemons)/com.updated.launchagent.plist – the properties file used to set the file Library/.local/updated to autorun using the launchd daemon.
Depending on whether root access is available:
А) if it is – /Library/.local/kext.tar. The following files are extracted from the archive:
- updated.kext – the driver that intercepts user keystrokes
- Keymap.plist – the map which matches the codes of the keys pressed by the user to the characters associated with these codes;
- EventMonitor – the agent which logs keystrokes as well as certain system events to the following file: Library/.local/.logfile.
B) if it isn’t – ~/Library/.local/EventMonitor. This is the agent that logs the current active window name and the keystrokes to the following file: Library/.local/.logfile.
What experts suggest in order to protect your system from this and some other malicious software is to not log with administrator rights when just browsing the internet or using programs that don’t require it.
- Guide 1: How to Remove from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of from Mac OS X.
- Guide 3: Remove from Google Chrome.
- Guide 4: Erase from Mozilla Firefox.
- Guide 5: Uninstall from Microsoft Edge.
- Guide 6: Remove from Safari.
- Guide 7: Eliminate from Internet Explorer.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
How to Remove from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove
Step 2: Uninstall and related software from Windows
Here is a method in few easy steps that should be able to uninstall most programs. No matter if you are using Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP, those steps will get the job done. Dragging the program or its folder to the recycle bin can be a very bad decision. If you do that, bits and pieces of the program are left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, errors with the file type associations and other unpleasant activities. The proper way to get a program off your computer is to Uninstall it. To do that:
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.
Step 3: Clean any registries, created by on your computer.
The usually targeted registries of Windows machines are the following:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
You can access them by opening the Windows registry editor and deleting any values, created by there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
Tip: To find a virus-created value, you can right-click on it and click "Modify" to see which file it is set to run. If this is the virus file location, remove the value.
Before starting "Step 4", please boot back into Normal mode, in case you are currently in Safe Mode.
This will enable you to install and use SpyHunter 5 successfully.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Get rid of from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall and remove related files and objects
1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:
- Go to Finder.
- In the search bar type the name of the app that you want to remove.
- Above the search bar change the two drop down menus to “System Files” and “Are Included” so that you can see all of the files associated with the application you want to remove. Bear in mind that some of the files may not be related to the app so be very careful which files you delete.
- If all of the files are related, hold the ⌘+A buttons to select them and then drive them to “Trash”.
In case you cannot remove via Step 1 above:
In case you cannot find the virus files and objects in your Applications or other places we have shown above, you can manually look for them in the Libraries of your Mac. But before doing this, please read the disclaimer below:
You can repeat the same procedure with the following other Library directories:
→ ~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons
Tip: ~ is there on purpose, because it leads to more LaunchAgents.
Step 2: Scan for and remove files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as , the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. SpyHunter for Mac offers advanced security features along with other modules that will improve your Mac’s security and protect it in the future.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Remove from Google Chrome.
Step 1: Start Google Chrome and open the drop menu
Step 2: Move the cursor over "Tools" and then from the extended menu choose "Extensions"
Step 3: From the opened "Extensions" menu locate the unwanted extension and click on its "Remove" button.
Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Google Chrome by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Erase from Mozilla Firefox.
Step 1: Start Mozilla Firefox. Open the menu window
Step 2: Select the "Add-ons" icon from the menu.
Step 3: Select the unwanted extension and click "Remove"
Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Mozilla Firefox by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Uninstall from Microsoft Edge.
Step 1: Start Edge browser.
Step 2: Open the drop menu by clicking on the icon at the top right corner.
Step 3: From the drop menu select "Extensions".
Step 4: Choose the suspected malicious extension you want to remove and then click on the gear icon.
Step 5: Remove the malicious extension by scrolling down and then clicking on Uninstall.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Remove from Safari.
Step 1: Start the Safari app.
Step 2: After hovering your mouse cursor to the top of the screen, click on the Safari text to open its drop down menu.
Step 3: From the menu, click on "Preferences".
Step 4: After that, select the 'Extensions' Tab.
Step 5: Click once on the extension you want to remove.
Step 6: Click 'Uninstall'.
A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall the extension. Select 'Uninstall' again, and the will be removed.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Eliminate from Internet Explorer.
Step 1: Start Internet Explorer.
Step 2: Click on the gear icon labeled 'Tools' to open the drop menu and select 'Manage Add-ons'
Step 3: In the 'Manage Add-ons' window.
Step 4: Select the extension you want to remove and then click 'Disable'. A pop-up window will appear to inform you that you are about to disable the selected extension, and some more add-ons might be disabled as well. Leave all the boxes checked, and click 'Disable'.
Step 5: After the unwanted extension has been removed, restart Internet Explorer by closing it from the red 'X' button located at the top right corner and start it again.
