Malware infecting Apple's Apps has already been taken down

Apple's App Store was previously victimised by a large-scale security breach that was caused by multiple Chinese-developed apps. Alibaba Mobile Security spotted the software infection, which was dubbed the Xcodeghost.

Tech Times has reported that Alibaba Mobile Security was the first security company to document precisely how extensive the breach has been. Announcements were made through social media a week ago.

The apps that were infected for both iPads and iPhones include the famous mobile messaging app WeChat by Tencent Holdings. The ride-sharing app Didi Kuaidi was also included in the list, as well as a Chinese-developed music app that functions pretty much like Spotify. It was also stated that more than three dozen Apple apps were affected by the malicious software.

To infiltrate the apps, Xcodeghost tricked software developers into using Xcode versions -- Apple's developer tool kit -- that have been compromised, unbeknownst to them. Apparently, hackers realised how impatient Chinese software developers are and took advantage of this information. After all, it is a fact that downloading official Xcode versions typically take long periods of time.

The malware was uploaded on a Chinese-based server, along with claims that it could facilitate Xcode downloads, hastening the process. Once apps have been infected, Xcodeghost transmitted data regarding the user's unit, showing fake alerts. These notifications, once accessed, will then steal iCloud passwords and access the user's clipboard. Plus, it will also open doors for more viruses to enter the device.

Now that the compromised Xcode has already been found within Baidu's cloud service, it has since been taken down.

"To protect our customers, we have removed the apps from the App Store that we know have been created with this counterfeit software," Apple said in a statement, according to Wall Street Journal. "We are working with the developers to make sure they are using the proper version of Xcode to rebuild their apps."

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