spyware-hunt

Correlate STIX indicators with iOS system artifacts to detect mercenary spyware.

11|1|Updated May 4, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/dreadnode/capabilities --skill spyware-hunt
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: spyware-hunt
Source: https://github.com/dreadnode/capabilities/tree/main/capabilities/ios-forensics/skills/spyware-hunt
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/dreadnode/capabilities --skill spyware-hunt

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

This Skill solves the challenge of detecting stealthy mercenary iOS spyware such as Pegasus, Predator, and QuaDream that leaves minimal on-device artifacts, by correlating STIX indicators of compromise with high-signal iOS system logs and backup artifacts that are often the only durable evidence of infection.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • STIX IoC Sweeping: Scan iOS backups or full filesystem dumps against curated STIX2 indicators from authoritative security research organizations to identify known spyware signatures.
  • Multi-Artefact Correlation: Cross-reference shutdown logs, DataUsage records, Safari/WebKit history, SMS messages, and Manifest.db entries to surface hidden spyware activity.
  • Timeline & Reporting: Build a chronological timeline of suspicious events to confirm infection patterns even without direct STIX matches, and generate structured forensic reports with confidence levels and evidence chain details.
  • Use Case: For a human rights defender who received an Apple Threat Notification, use this skill to scan their iOS device backup for STIX matches, identify unknown short-lived processes in DataUsage records, and compile a forensic report of likely compromise to share with security researchers.

Quick Start

Use the spyware-hunt skill to scan an iOS backup or filesystem dump for mercenary spyware indicators, cross-reference shutdown logs and data usage records for suspicious activity, and generate a forensic report of confirmed or suspected infections.

Frequently Asked Questions about spyware-hunt

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I scan an iOS backup for Pegasus and other mercenary spyware?

To detect mercenary spyware like Predator and QuaDream without direct STIX IoC matches, you cross-reference shutdown logs, DataUsage records, and Manifest.db entries. Building a chronological timeline of suspicious events helps confirm hidden infection patterns from minimal on-device artifacts.

Does iOS spyware hunting require a full filesystem dump or is a backup enough?

STIX2 IoC feeds provide curated indicators of compromise from authoritative security research organizations, which are correlated against iOS system artifacts. Sweeping these feeds against backup data identifies known spyware signatures for threats like Pegasus, Predator, QuaDream, RCS, and Hermit.

What is the best way to investigate an Apple Threat Notification received by an at-risk individual?

The best way to investigate an Apple Threat Notification for an at-risk individual is to scan their iOS device backup for STIX matches and suspicious short-lived processes in DataUsage records. You then compile a structured forensic report with confidence levels to confirm likely compromise.

Can I generate a forensic report of iOS spyware infections with confidence levels?

You can generate a structured forensic report of iOS spyware infections with confidence levels and evidence chain details. This is achieved by building a chronological timeline of suspicious events from multi-artifact correlation of shutdown logs, Safari history, and SMS messages.