Esser chose not to contact Apple about the DYLD_PRINT_TO_FILE vulnerability – which remains currently unpatched in OS X Yosemite, despite it curiously being fixed in the beta version of the next iteration of OS X, El Capitan.
Now, security firm Malwarebytes has discovered an in-the-wild attack exploiting the vulnerability, where root permission is gained on the computer without a password being needed.
According to the firm, the attack installs a version of the VSearch and Genio adware, alongside a copy of the controversial MacKeeper app.
The VSearch adware is frequently hidden within installers for bogus video streamers. Once it has got its claws into your Mac, you will find yourself pestered by pop-up adverts and find your online searches redirected to a different search engine to generate revenue for the attackers.
As a final flourish, according to Thomas Reed of Malwarebytes who analysed the latest attack, users are being directed to an app called Download Shuttle app in the Mac App Store.
It’s worrying to see the vulnerability is now being exploited by bad guys, and the lack of response so far from Apple as to how they expect Yosemite users to protect themselves.
Right now, with no fix currently available from Apple itself, your best course of action may be to trust Stefan Esser – the same guy who made the vulnerability public in the first place.
Esser’s firm SektionEins has released a kernel extension called SUIDGuard that protects computers from the threat. You can download its source code from GitHub.
For more information on the latest attack, check out Thomas Reed’s post on the Malwarebytes blog.
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As I pointed out over on Intego, it is a marketing ploy on his part (ignoring the part about sincerity and more professional way would be hosting the fix on his server).
He doesn't contact Apple, he offers his own fix, explains the exploit (which many wouldn't understand… I do because I'm familiar with Unix system programming etc., but the average users wouldn't) then before showing a POC exploit, he has:
"Before I share a working POC exploit for this problem with you, let me finish this post by highlighting that SektionEins is organizing several OS X and iOS related trainings later this year. If you enjoyed this blog post then especially the OS X and iOS Kernel Internals for Security Researchers Training* in October should be of interest for you."
… all of which is a sneaky and pathetic way of advertising his organisation. I'm not even going to discuss Apple here or even 0-day exploits: the problem here is how is abusing a flaw in order to get customers (even if they are free – I don't know if they are – the fact is it brings them attention). That is self-centred and manipulative.
Finds an exploit + doesn't tell the vendor + publishes details of said exploit = lack of ethics in my book. Whatever beef he has is Apple is one thing, why carry it over to Apple users?
Maybe just don't download a notoriously questionable piece of software? Just sayin'.