Rogue Developer Uses Popular Open Source Project to Steal Bitcoins

Living the cryptocurrency life might give you more control over your money, but it also comes with much more risk than old-fashioned fiat money. Some Bitcoin users are learning this lesson the hard way after developers discovered malicious code in a widely used open source code library. The goal, it seems, was to siphon off funds from users of the Copay crypto wallet. The scale of the breach is still under investigation, but things aren’t looking good.

The attack focuses on the event-stream JavaScript library, which many companies and other open source projects use to handle Node.js streaming data. You don’t need to know the specifics of how that all works — all you need to know is this library was extremely popular with almost 2 million weekly downloads. This library has existed for years with no issue, but that changed several months ago.

According to a GitHub thread, the original developer, Dominic Tarr grew tired of maintaining a library he no longer used. Someone emerged from the shadows with an offer to take over the project, and Tarr provided access. It probably would have been smart for Tarr to vet the new developer, but hindsight is 20/20.

The new dev, known only as “right9ctrl,” got right to work adding a new module called flatmap-steam in October. That update didn’t actually contain anything malicious — the new directory was empty. Other projects unknowingly integrated the updated code into their software, giving right9ctrl the opening they needed to attack. Earlier this month, the flatmap-steam module was updated with malicious code that attempted to steal Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash wallets. If it was successful, the module transferred the coins to a server in Malaysia.

This attack specifically targeted the Copay wallet app, which uses the event-stream library. When deployed in that app, the code activated to compromise the private keys. BitPay, which makes the Copay wallet app, says that versions 5.0.2 through 5.1.0. A new v5.2 build is rolling out to remove the malicious code. The company recommends that everyone using an old app upgrade as soon as possible. Since the keys for the old wallet are most likely at risk, BitPay suggests transferring all funds to a new wallet in v5.2.

Anyone who lost cryptocurrency in this attack is probably out of luck. There’s no way to track the perpetrator unless they were especially sloppy, and cryptocurrency isn’t protected by deposit insurance like traditional money in banks. If it gets stolen, it’s gone.

Continue reading

Astronomers Might Finally Know the Source of Fast Radio Bursts

A trio of new studies report on an FRB within our own galaxy. Because this one was so much closer than past signals, scientists were able to track it to a particular type of neutron star known as a magnetar.

Report: Intel Will Outsource Core i3 Production to TSMC’s 5nm Node

This would be the first time the chip giant has built one of its Core CPUs on a different company's process node. It's not an exaggeration to call this a pivotal moment in Intel's history.

Source Code Stolen from Cyberpunk 2077 Developer Reportedly Sold

Polish game developer CD Projekt Red (CDPR) announced earlier this week that it had been the victim of a ransomware hack. As part of the operation, the attackers stole internal documents and source code, which they threatened to sell if CDPR declined to pay the ransom. Cybersecurity experts now say that the hacking group has followed through and sold the stolen data for an undisclosed sum.

Modder Open Sources iPhone USB-C Mod

If you were hoping it was as simple as drilling a hole and soldering a few wires, you're in for disappointment.