For many readers of the latest data dump from the controversial website WikiLeaks, two surprising facts stood out:
1. The CIA has been hacking iPhones, Macbooks and other Apple products for a decade
2. To install the malware, the CIA requires physical access to "factory fresh" machines. WikiLeaks suggests this is done through redirecting Apple’s supply chain through their own facilities
According to the documents, CIA's Embedded Development Branch (EDB) implants malware called NightSkies 1.2, a "beacon/loader/implant tool" that apparently allows the CIA to "gain persistence" (spy) on the device. Notably, this program has been in use since 2008. WikiLeaks also describes a project called "Sonic Screwdriver", which allows spies to remotely hack a Mac computer from a USB accessory plugged into the machine. The release also contains details of other malware products with striking names such as "DarkSeaSkies", "DarkMatter", "SeaPea", "Triton", "Dark Mallet" and "DerStake".
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