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New MacSync malware dropper evades macOS Gatekeeper checks

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The latest variant of the MacSync information stealer targeting macOS systems is delivered through a digitally signed, notarized Swift application.

Security researchers at Apple device management platform Jamf say that the distribution method constitutes a significant evolution from past iterations that used less sophisticated "drag-to-Terminal" or ClickFix tactics.

"Delivered as a code-signed and notarized Swift application within a disk image named zk-call-messenger-installer-3.9.2-lts.dmg, distributed via https://zkcall.net/download, it removes the need for any direct terminal interaction," the researchers say in a report today.

Valid digital signature and notarization

Source: Jamf

At the time of the analysis, Jamf says that the latest MacSync variant had a valid signature and could bypass checks from Gatekeeper, the security system in macOS.

"After inspecting the Mach-O binary, which is a universal build, we confirmed that it is both code-signed and notarized. The signature is associated with the Developer Team ID GNJLS3UYZ4," Jamf explains.

However, following a direct report of the certificate to Apple, it has now been revoked.

The malware is delivered on the system through a dropper in encoded form. After decoding the payload, researchers discovered the usual signs of the MacSync Stealer.

The deobfuscated payload

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