#Vault7: WikiLeaks releases ‘Dark Matter’ batch of CIA hacking tactics for Apple products

rt ^ | 3/23/17 | rt

[RummyChick]

WikiLeaks has released the latest batch of documents in its Vault 7 series of documents related to the CIA’s espionage programs. The latest release, dubbed ‘Dark Matter,’ reveals the specific techniques used to target Apple products.

The leak came just prior to WikiLeaks latest press briefing which is scheduled to take place at 10am ET. The last Vault 7 press conference was cancelled after Julian Assange claimed their streaming services were being attacked.

The projects, developed by the CIA's Embedded Development Branch (EDB), attack Apple’s firmware meaning that any infections are persistent regardless of efforts to remove them, including if the operating system is reinstalled.

[biggredd1]

obama spied, people died...
https://twitter.com/polNewsNetwork1/status/844750704367546369

[RummyChick]

[House Atreides]

Swordmaker, FYI.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

+SwordMaker

[RummyChick]

~ alva ~‏ @alvaraalva 9m9 minutes ago More CIA hijacked Dr Who's iconic 'Sonic Screwdriver' as a moniker for a very fu@@@d persistent Apple attack hack. nothing's sacred:( #DarkMatter

[ProtectOurFreedom]

6 seconds. If only auto spell hadn’t messed up “SwordMaker “...

[donozark]

I imagine Assange had quite a start yesterday during the attack on nearby Westminster Bridge. Not far from Ecuadorian Embassy.

[Swordmaker]

Wikileaks Vault 7 release shows some of the attacks against Apple devices including the iPhone and MacBook computers. . . and claims it is used by installing persistent code called the "Sonic Screwdriver" which is apparently inserted in the Apple firmware before the device is delivered to the end user. Obviously, this requires the physical possession of the device prior to deliver. This type of attack has been known about for years and involves installing malware at a root level in any computer. It is a personally targeted attack and not a remote attack, capable of targeting spur of the moment individuals, but has to be planned in detail, requiring identifying and intercepting the target's computer or iPhone before delivery, or finding the device(s) when unattended for a sufficiently long period of time, and dismantling them to gain access to the chips necessary to either re-program or replace them with the spyware installed.

With modern Apple iPhones requiring internal registration of no less than four security components, such invasion becomes much more problematic. One of those is a test of component integrity for the firmware. While the iPhone would still work post installation, it would "brick" at the next update giving the infamous "Error 53" when the registered components fail their integrity checks.

Another area addressed in the Vault 7 was modification of the Computer Firmware from peripherals at boot up. Just this past year, prior to the revelation of the Vault 7 exploits, Apple closed the ability of any peripheral device to modify the firmware.

These newly revealed vulnerabilities used by the CIA have already been closed by Apple or require physical possession of the targeted device to accomplish, which is impossible to defend against, as spychips can be hidden any where in a device if the agency can get access to the device. — PING!

Apple Wikileaks Vault 7, and the CIA
Ping!

The latest Apple/Mac/iOS Pings can be found by searching Keyword "ApplePingList" on FreeRepublic's Search.

If you want on or off the Mac Ping List, Freepmail me

[Swordmaker]

The infector is stored in the Apple Thunderbolt-to-Ethernet adapter, claim WikiLeaks.

The Thunderbolt and USB firmware modification without passwords at Root vulnerability was the specific one Apple closed last year.

[Swordmaker]

Thanks for posting and the heads up. . .

[GOPJ]

The projects, developed by the CIA's Embedded Development Branch (EDB), attack Apple’s firmware meaning that any infections are persistent regardless of efforts to remove them, including if the operating system is reinstalled.

The little sh*ts in our 'intelligence services' got help based on fighting radical Islamic terrorists NOT FOR SPYING ON AMERICAN CITIZENS FOR THE PURPOSE OF GATHERING POWER FOR MONSTERS.

Americans need to stand up to the liberal 'elite' thugs in our 'intelligence' services... unmask THEM. Show them up for the totalitarian police state thugs they really are...

[bkopto]

So will the Feds replace my Mac if it has this malware on it? They would have broken it.

[Swordmaker]

Another article with more data on the actual exploit details over here:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/3537367/posts?page=1

[Swordmaker]

Another article with more data on the actual exploit details over here:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/3537367/posts?page=1

[Swordmaker]

So will the Feds replace my Mac if it has this malware on it? They would have broken it.

If you know the firmware has this on there, it can easily be Re-Flashed. It's about a ten minute procedure. Apple can push out a firmware update to do it.

[minnesota_bound]

SwordMaker possible CIA agent....
Waiting on next Wikileak to confirm : )

[mass55th]

I ended up having to upgrade from a 3G to 4G Apple iPhone 6S last fall. I was having problems making calls, and updating roaming capabilities due to somebody in the area having a network extender signal booster. At least that's what the little icon that showed up on my phone was supposed to be. Who knows, it could have been the government spying since I live down the street from the old Griffiss Air Base, which still has the Eastern Air Defense Sector.

I didn't want a new phone, but was told that the network extender was for 3G phones, and that it wouldn't interfere on a 4G. If I had to get one, I bought the cheapest iPhone because I use Apple computers at home. I have no need to sync my phone with any other Apple product. Basically I use it for calls, and to check Drudge and Free Republic when I'm away from home. I don't use it for my email. So, if the government wants to spy on me, they'll get bored pretty fast.