Microsoft Threat Intelligence has uncovered a new variant of XCSSET, a sophisticated modular macOS malware that infects Xcode projects, in the wild during routine threat hunting.
Its first known variant since 2022, this latest XCSSET malware features enhanced obfuscation methods, updated persistence mechanisms, and new infection strategies. These enhanced features help this malware family steal and exfiltrate files and system and user information, such as digital wallet data and notes, among others. XCSSET is known for infecting Xcode projects and runs while an Xcode project is being built. Since Xcode is typically used by software developers, we assess that the malware’s mode of infection and propagation leverages on the idea that project files are shared among developers building Apple or macOS-related applications.
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Source: Microsoft
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