Description

A macOS malware campaign is targeting users through fraudulent websites that trick victims into copying and executing malicious commands in Terminal. The malware, known as Phexia, is designed to steal device login passwords, browser information, Keychain files, and password-manager data. The campaign uses social engineering techniques rather than exploiting software vulnerabilities. According to WithSecure researchers, Phexia is a modular backdoor and information stealer that has been active since late 2025, with infections increasing during 2026. The attackers use a ClickFix technique, presenting fake verification pages or system-fix instructions that encourage users to execute malicious commands manually. These commands typically download shell scripts using curl and execute them through bash. The scripts launch an AppleScript-based dropper that establishes persistence by creating malicious LaunchAgents within the user's Library directory. The malware then communicates with its command-and-control infrastructure to retrieve additional components. Phexia uses macOS utilities to validate login passwords and may display fraudulent system prompts until users enter the correct credentials. Captured passwords are stored locally and used to access sensitive information, including browser cookies, browsing history, saved credentials, Keychain data, and password-manager extension files. The malware also deploys the XMRig cryptocurrency miner to generate Monero for attackers. Researchers identified an additional capability called EtherHiding, introduced in May 2026, which retrieves command-server addresses from smart contracts on the Polygon blockchain. This allows operators to change their infrastructure without modifying existing malware installations. Security teams should monitor suspicious Terminal commands, unauthorized LaunchAgents, unexpected password prompts, and unusual network connections. Affected users should isolate compromised devices, remove malicious persistence mechanisms, reset credentials from a clean device, and revoke exposed sessions. Users should avoid executing commands copied from untrusted websites.