Cuckoo Stealer

MITRE ATT&CK: S1153 View on attack.mitre.org

Aliases: Cuckoo Stealer

First seen
2024-01-01 00:00:00
Malware type
spyware, credential-stealer, trojan
Family
Malware family
Operating systems
macos
Profile updated
2026-07-07 15:28:25

Targeted industries: technology-and-telecommunications media-and-entertainment professional-services

Context

Cuckoo Stealer is a macOS malware with characteristics of spyware and an infostealer that has been in use since at least 2024. Cuckoo Stealer is a universal Mach-O binary that can run on Intel or ARM-based Macs and has been spread through trojanized versions of various potentially unwanted programs or PUP's such as converters, cleaners, and uninstallers.

Detection coverage

  • 212 Sigma rules

Malware & tools used

  • Encrypted/Encoded File (attack-pattern)
  • Hidden Files and Directories (attack-pattern)
  • System Language Discovery (attack-pattern)
  • System Owner/User Discovery (attack-pattern)
  • System Location Discovery (attack-pattern)
  • Launchctl (attack-pattern)
  • Software Discovery (attack-pattern)
  • Plist File Modification (attack-pattern)
  • Screen Capture (attack-pattern)
  • Local Data Staging (attack-pattern)
  • Process Discovery (attack-pattern)
  • File and Directory Discovery (attack-pattern)
  • Stripped Payloads (attack-pattern)
  • Deobfuscate/Decode Files or Information (attack-pattern)
  • Exfiltration Over C2 Channel (attack-pattern)
  • Match Legitimate Resource Name or Location (attack-pattern)
  • Web Protocols (attack-pattern)
  • Unix Shell (attack-pattern)
  • Non-Application Layer Protocol (attack-pattern)
  • Gatekeeper Bypass (attack-pattern)
  • Launch Agent (attack-pattern)
  • AppleScript (attack-pattern)
  • Keychain (attack-pattern)
  • System Information Discovery (attack-pattern)
  • GUI Input Capture (attack-pattern)

Reports & references

  • MITRE ATT&CK — S1153 (report)
  • kandji.io — Malware Cuckoo Infostealer Spyware (report)
  • sentinelone.com — Macos Cuckoo Stealer Ensuring Detection And Defense As New Samples Rapidly Emerge (report)

External references