• About WordPress
    • WordPress.org
    • Documentation
    • Learn WordPress
    • Support
    • Feedback
Skip to content
May 25, 2026
  • Linkedin
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Youtube

Daily CyberSecurity

Zero-hour alerts. Unmatched analysis.

Primary Menu
  • Home
  • CVE Watchtower
  • Cyber Criminals
  • Data Leak
  • Linux
  • Malware
  • Vulnerability
  • Submit Press Release
  • Vulnerability Report
Light/Dark Button
  • Home
  • News
  • Malware
  • Mac malware Coldroot hasn’t detected by anti-virus engines for two years
  • Malware

Mac malware Coldroot hasn’t detected by anti-virus engines for two years

Ddos February 26, 2018 3 minutes read
Coldroot

Patrick Wardle, chief researcher at Digita Security, a security company, discovered a malware called Coldroot, a remote access Trojan (RAT). Although it was uploaded to GitHub two years ago, it has so far failed to be detected by most antivirus engines.

Coldroot was uploaded to Github in 2016 and is offered for free. Now, things seem to have changed a bit, and the malware has entered the proactive phase of distribution.

Wardle said the latest version of Coldroot was found in an unofficial Apple audio driver (com.apple.audio.driver2.app). Malware masqueraded as a document that opens with a prompt that requires the user to enter an account and password (MacOS credentials) to log in. Once the victim provides the credentials, the malware silently installs and contacts its command and control (C & C) server to await further instructions from the attacker.

 

Malware modifies MacOS’s privacy database (TCC.db), which allows it to interact with system components to gain the access necessary to perform keyloggers. In addition, Coldroot manages the infected system by installing itself as a startup daemon. In this way, the malicious code starts up each time the infected computer is opened.

Once Coldroot is activated, it can take screenshots, view the desktop remotely in real time, start and stop processes on the target system, and search, download, upload, and execute files. All stolen data is sent to the remote web-based panel, much like most RATs do today.

 

Wardle pointed out that this is a “fully functional and currently undetectable” malware. Since January 1, 2017, a Web site called “Coldzer0”, the author of Coldroot who has been on the dark Internet marketing this software. In addition, Coldroot is a cross-platform malware targeting MacOS, Linux and Windows-based operating systems, based on ad videos published by Coldzer0.

 

Wardle also pointed out that it is unclear whether this new version of Coldroot is the same as the one uploaded two years ago, or if it is a modified version of the malware. Although the new version of Coldroot still contains details and contact information for its original author (Coldzer0), it is also likely to be misleading clues for other people who improve the software after getting the code from GitHub to keep it, safe Investigators, in-depth investigation.

Wardle said the malware may not affect newer operating systems such as MacOS High Sierra because the security of system TCC.db is assured through System Integrity Protection (SIP). But in his opinion, the proactive distribution of malware shows that hackers are constantly trying to step up their attacks on Macs, and it’s better for Mac users to switch to using the latest operating system to avoid being hit by such malware.

Rate this post

Support Our Threat Intelligence

If you find our CVE report and cybersecurity news helpful, consider supporting our work.

Buy Me a Coffee Logo Buy Me a Coffee PayPal
Crypto QR Code
USDT (TRC20):
TN8BdV8cp4T1Cd28gK9qTAnZknzzuwyUtm
USDT (ERC20):
0x3725e1a7d3bc5765499fa6aaafe307fabcd75bce

Share this article:

Facebook Post LinkedIn Telegram

Related posts:

  1. Hackers exploit CVE-2023-28252 0-day to deploy the Nokoyawa ransomware
  2. Malvertising Campaign Uses Fake Installers to Spread Oyster Backdoor
  3. Top 3 Malware Targeting Businesses in the Last 12 Months
  4. Predator Spyware Resurges: New Infrastructure, Evasion Tactics, and Mozambique Customer Uncovered
  5. The CAPTCHA Trap: ClearFake Malware Tricks Users Into Hacking Themselves
Tags: Coldroot

Search

Translation

CVE WATCHTOWER
🚨

Receive alerts for vulnerabilities being exploited in the wild.

⚑

Get notified instantly when a Proof of Concept (PoC) exploit is published.

πŸ”

Access critical info on vulnerabilities even when marked as "RESERVED".

🧠

Insights powered by decades of expertise and global intelligence sources.

🎯

Customize alerts with up to 10 keywords for your specific tech stack.

πŸ“Š

Export the raw CVE database for SIEM integration and reporting.

Upgrade Package

πŸ”΄ Live Critical Threats

  • CVE-2026-9478CVSS 9.8
    A weakness has been identified in Totolink A8000RU 7.1cu.643_b20200521. Impacted is the...
  • CVE-2026-9477CVSS 9.8
    A security flaw has been discovered in Totolink A8000RU 7.1cu.643_b20200521. This issue...
  • CVE-2026-9476CVSS 9.8
    A vulnerability was identified in Totolink A8000RU 7.1cu.643_b20200521. This vulnerability affects the...
  • CVE-2026-9475CVSS 9.8
    A vulnerability was determined in Totolink A8000RU 7.1cu.643_b20200521. This affects the function...
  • CVE-2026-9458CVSS 9.8
    A vulnerability was identified in Totolink A8000RU 7.1cu.643_b20200521. The impacted element is...
  • CVE-2026-9457CVSS 9.8
    A vulnerability was determined in Totolink A8000RU 7.1cu.643_b20200521. The affected element is...
  • CVE-2026-9456CVSS 9.8
    A vulnerability was found in Totolink A8000RU 7.1cu.643_b20200521. Impacted is the function...
  • CVE-2026-9455CVSS 9.8
    A vulnerability has been found in Totolink A8000RU 7.1cu.643_b20200521. This issue affects...
  • CVE-2026-9454CVSS 9.8
    A flaw has been found in Totolink A8000RU 7.1cu.643_b20200521. This vulnerability affects...
  • CVE-2026-9436CVSS 9.8
    A flaw has been found in Totolink A8000RU 7.1cu.643_b20200521. The impacted element...
Powered by CVE WATCHTOWER

Recent Zero-Day Vulnerabilities

  • Exploited in the Wild: Critical OWA Spoofing Flaw (CVE-2026-42897) Hits On-Premises Exchange Servers
  • Exploited in the Wild: Maximum CVSS 10 SD-WAN Flaw (CVE-2026-20182) Grants Admin Control
  • Exploited in the Wild: Critical 9.8 CVSS RCE Hits Canon GUARDIANWALL MailSuite
  • Exploit Code Released: Public PoC Dumps for Windows BitLocker Bypass and SYSTEM Elevation Zero-Days
  • Exploited in the Wild: “Dirty Frag” Linux Vulnerability Grants Instant Root Access
  • Under Active Attack: Ivanti EPMM Zero-Day Exploited in the Wild via Harvested Admin Credentials
Our Websites
  • Penetration Testing Tools
  • The Daily Information Technology
  • Daily CyberSecurity

    • About SecurityOnline.info
    • Advertise with us
    • Announcement
    • Contact
    • Contributor Register
    • Login
    • About SecurityOnline.info
    • Advertise on SecurityOnline.info
    • Contact Us

    When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works

    • Disclaimer
    • Privacy Policy
    • DMCA NOTICE
    • Linkedin
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • Youtube
    Copyright Daily CyberSecurity Β© All rights reserved.