Apple Lists Top 25 Apps Compromised by XcodeGhost Malware

Apple has been working to remove all apps compromised by XcodeGhost from the App Store, but some affected apps may remain available for download. Apple has also outlined steps for developers to validate Xcode and said it would alert users to let them know if they have downloaded apps that could have been compromised.

XcodeGhost is a new iOS malware that arose from malicious versions of Xcode, Apple's official tool for developing iOS and OS X apps, downloaded by some developers in China. Chinese developers then unknowingly compiled iOS apps using the modified Xcode IDE and distributed those infected apps through the App Store.

MacRumors posted a detailed XcodeGhost FAQ over the weekend that explains more about the malware, who is affected and how to keep yourself protected, although Apple has since downplayed the severity of XcodeGhost compared to what some security firms initially reported.

We have no information to suggest that the malware has been used to do anything malicious or that this exploit would have delivered any personally identifiable information had it been used.

We’re not aware of personally identifiable customer data being impacted and the code also did not have the ability to request customer credentials to gain iCloud and other service passwords.

Chinese developers initially disclosed XcodeGhost on microblogging service Sina Weibo last Wednesday.