A researcher claims that a Mac worm has the ability to execute code at root level
Worm 'proves' Macs as vulnerable as PCs
/v3-uk/news/2004122/worm-proves-macs-vulnerable-pcs
18 Jul 2007, Shaun Nichols , V3
An anonymous security researcher claims to have developed a worm capable of delivering a malicious payload to fully-patched Mac OS X systems.
A posting on the Information Security Sellout blog insists that the worm proves that Apple computers are as vulnerable to malware as Windows-based PCs.
The blog is written by a group of anonymous researchers using the name 'Infosec Sellout'.
The researcher responsible for the post claimed to be developing the worm for a client, and said that no proof-of-concept or related details will be published. The author claims that the client does not plan to use the worm for criminal purposes.
The author has not yet notified Apple of the bug, but plans to contact the company "eventually".
The vulnerability apparently exploited by the worm lies in OS X's MDNSResponder networking component.
When exploited, the author claims that the worm has the capability to execute code at root level, allowing an attacker to install malware on the target system.
"While it is nothing special compared to Windows-based malware it does prove a point," wrote the researcher. "Apple computers are just as susceptible to malware as Windows-based ones."
The Infosec Sellout researcher is not the first person to attempt to prove such a point.
A virus for Apple's iChat application first appeared in February 2006, followed by another targeting OS X's Bluetooth software. Nine months later a third virus, dubbed OSX.Macarena, was found.
None of these viruses was able to record more than 50 infections, and no malware installations were ever reported.
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Do you agree?
That kind of garbage reporting
is the reason why I stopped buying your magazine.
I also just unsubscribed from your "newsletter"
Posted by Markus Winter, 18 Jul 2007
Windows (Vista) users are Jealous
Windows (Vista) users are Jealous of UNIXens(UNIX-like) inherent immunity to malwares and viruses.I have one of my fingure UP for U,the wrong news spreader :x
Posted by Asad, 19 Jul 2007
PC?
And I always thought a Mac was a Personal Computer. What is it then?
Posted by John Doe, 18 Jul 2007
Puerile and unprofessional
So, you guys at VNU are breaking out the bubbly because an anonymous "hacker" has claimed, without any proof whatsoever, to be able to write a worm for a computer platform that is not your favoured one. That is one of the most pathetic and unprofessional statements I have ever read. You say that the "awful truth dawns" - but there's very little truth here, and the only awful thing is your attitude to fellow computer users.
Posted by Marcus Dyson, 18 Jul 2007
That headline is silly
This is akin to someone riddled with cancer telling a guy with a mole, "You're just as sick as I am."
Posted by Alteron, 18 Jul 2007
Workarounds
Even though this thing isn't even in the wild, people are already suggesting ways in which you could prevent this from spreading to your computer. See the comments on Slashdot and Ars Technica for some ideas (but try them at your own risk).
http://apple.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=251671&cid=19895739
http://arstechnica.com/journals/apple.ars/2007/07/17/anonymous-blogger-claims-proof-of-concept-mac-worm
Posted by the JoshMeister, 18 Jul 2007
Just as vulnerable indeed?
Good hype but from the sketchy details given, this appears to be less than proof. Until malware actually appears on a MacOSX installation, I will remain firmly of the opinion tha t by design, MacOSX and other UNIX-like OSes are more secure by far than Windows.
Posted by Paul Prosser, 18 Jul 2007
LMAO
A Mac is a computer which takes it's instructions from programs. No computer can ever be 100% free of programs that have malicious intent.
It is not astonishing that a worm is discovered for OS X, the increased popularity of the platform is bound to cause attention from malicious program writers.
What is astonishing is that this article suggests that this one discovery means that OS X is as vulnerable as Windows!
My suggestion is to get of your windows-using high horse and get a life. If you had the slightest understanding of the differences between OS X and Windows you would not of made such a ridiculous sensationalist comment.
WHAT A LOAD OF S**T
Posted by luke255, 19 Jul 2007
worm in MAc, a possibility?
people or articles said that Mac are more secure then a PC. Fews weeks ago, an user'Mac send to another Mac a big worm? will be a possibility?
Posted by caroline, 26 Apr 2008