Careto (The Mask)

Symptoms

You might observe the following artifacts associated with this threat:

• Suspicious or unfamiliar processes running in the background.
• Presence of unusual encrypted files or hidden directories.
• Unexpected network traffic or connections to unknown servers.

Technical Breakdown

Careto (The Mask) malware operates through a highly sophisticated modular architecture. Once deployed, it executes a series of actions intended to achieve stealthy data exfiltration. It typically infiltrates systems via spear-phishing campaigns using malicious links or attachments designed to exploit vulnerabilities. Once inside, Careto leverages encrypted communication channels to its command-and-control infrastructure.

Some of Careto’s notable capabilities include:

• Collecting and exfiltrating encryption keys and credentials.
• Capturing detailed system and network information.
• Extracting SSH keys and VPN configurations.
• Harvesting user activity including browsing histories and documents.
• Downloading additional modules and payloads for extended functionality.

While primarily known for targeting government agencies, diplomatic institutions, and energy companies, Careto poses significant threats to all targeted platforms including macOS.

Next Steps

Kandji Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR) automatically removes detected threats when file monitoring is set to Protect.

While the malicious file is removed, it can leave behind artifacts that need to be cleaned manually.

In the future, avoid downloading and installing software from torrent sources or untrusted websites. Ensure that all applications are obtained from official and reputable sources to maintain system integrity and security.