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SeaFlower is a web3-focused intrusion set first identified in 2022 that targets cryptocurrency wallet users by distributing trojanized mobile wallet applications. The activity has targeted popular wallets including MetaMask, Coinbase Wallet, imToken, and TokenPocket on iOS and Android. Its primary objective is theft of wallet recovery material, especially seed phrases, with additional collection of wallet addresses and balances observed in some cases, enabling downstream cryptocurrency theft. SeaFlower commonly uses cloned wallet websites and search-engine-driven traffic acquisition to lure victims into downloading backdoored applications. Observed delivery has included sideloaded iOS apps installed through Apple provisioning profiles and directly downloaded Android packages. The operation has shown particular emphasis on Chinese search-engine ecosystems and uses client-side fingerprinting, referer checks, and bot detection to selectively redirect likely victims while reducing exposure to automated analysis. On iOS, SeaFlower has demonstrated comparatively strong tradecraft. Backdoored applications preserved the legitimate wallet user interface and functionality while adding covert implants through injected dynamic libraries, Objective-C method hooking with Logos and MSHookMessageEx, and manipulation of React Native bundle loading. Analysis has shown encrypted or obfuscated backdoor logic, including recovery of hidden functionality that exfiltrates mnemonic phrases at the point they are generated, confirmed, loaded, or saved. Tooling and artifacts associated with iOS modding frameworks such as MonkeyDev, Cycript, and related hook-based workflows have been observed. On Android, observed SeaFlower samples were less sophisticated but still effective, using straightforward code injection and obfuscated command-and-control strings to capture and transmit seed phrases when wallet data was being stored. Across platforms, the malicious applications were designed to remain operational and visually consistent with the legitimate wallets, minimizing user suspicion. Attribution remains unconfirmed, but multiple artifacts indicate a likely Chinese-speaking operator or operators. Reported evidence includes Chinese-language comments, leaked build-environment usernames and names, infrastructure associated with Chinese and Hong Kong hosting, use of Chinese search engines as a major access vector, and tooling common in Chinese-speaking mobile modding communities. These indicators support a China-linked assessment at moderate confidence, but they do not establish definitive state sponsorship. SeaFlower is notable for its narrow specialization in mobile web3 wallet compromise, its focus on seed-phrase exfiltration rather than broader device takeover, and its relatively advanced iOS implant development. No high-confidence evidence supports ransomware or extortion activity. The dominant motivation is financial gain through theft of cryptocurrency assets.
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Who, where, and (when attributed) which flag flies behind the operation. Pulled from open-source reporting and Mallory's analyst review.
Sectors the actor has been observed targeting.
Attributed origin per open-source reporting.
14 distinct techniques observed across reporting, grouped by tactic. Hover any cell for the evidence excerpt; click through for MITRE's full description.
4 sources tracked across advisories, community write-ups, and news. New activity surfaces here as Mallory finds it.
Cluster targeting Web3 wallet users by distributing trojanized (backdoored) mobile wallet apps via cloned websites and search-engine redirection; backdoors exfiltrate wallet seed phrases (mnemonics) over HTTPS to attacker-controlled domains.
A previously unreported web3-focused activity cluster that backdoored mobile cryptocurrency wallet applications on iOS and Android to steal victims' seed phrases and exfiltrate them to attacker-controlled infrastructure.
SeaFlower is conducting sophisticated supply chain and social engineering attacks targeting web3 wallet users by distributing backdoored versions of popular iOS and Android crypto wallets (MetaMask, Coinbase Wallet, TokenPocket, imToken). The backdoors exfiltrate seed phrases and private keys, resulting in theft of user funds. The operation involves cloned websites, search engine poisoning (especially on Chinese search engines), and advanced iOS/Android app tampering.
SeaFlower is a sophisticated threat actor targeting iOS web3 users, likely for financial theft or espionage. The group uses advanced backdoors and malware to compromise iOS devices.
Match sector + geo + tech-stack targeting against your real footprint.
Every observed MITRE ATT&CK technique, grouped by tactic.
Families this actor is known to deploy, with IOCs and behavior.
CVEs this actor has used in known campaigns.
YARA, Sigma, Snort, and vendor rules, auto-deployed to your SIEM.
Domains, IPs, and hashes tied to this actor, refreshed continuously.