The BlueNoroff hacker group, associated with North Korea’s military, has shifted its tactics by using RustBucket malware to target macOS systems, a departure from its historical focus on Windows and Linux. BlueNoroff, part of the North Korean Reconnaissance General Bureau, typically employs spear-phishing emails with malicious attachments to steal cryptocurrency.
Researchers have discovered that the group has expanded its target base to include macOS, likely due to its increasing popularity, particularly in the United States. The group has also been found to set up typosquatting domains mimicking finance-related institutions globally, with a focus on Asia and the U.S.
The BlueNoroff hacker group, associated with the North Korean military, is using RustBucket malware to target macOS systems, marking a departure from its previous focus on Windows and Linux. This shift in tactics reflects the growing popularity of macOS, especially in the United States.
BlueNoroff employs spear-phishing emails with malicious attachments to steal cryptocurrency, and it has expanded its target base to include macOS systems.
The group is associated with Bureau 121, the main unit of the North Korean military’s Reconnaissance General Bureau, and it is one of several North Korean nation-state groups engaged in cyber operations for financial and geopolitical gains.
The recent move to target macOS systems comes after the group was sanctioned by South Korea for conducting cyber activities to finance North Korea’s nuclear and missile development programs.
BlueNoroff has historically used various file formats, such as Word documents, PDFs, and PowerPoint files, to distribute malware and steal cryptocurrency.
In December 2022, the group began using the RustBucket malware to target macOS systems, a new development for the group. BlueNoroff’s shift in focus demonstrates its adaptability and willingness to exploit the growing user base of macOS, particularly in the United States.
Additionally, the group has been found to create typosquatting domains mimicking finance-related institutions globally, with a particular emphasis on Asia and the U.S.
