Consensys Probes Hiring of North Korea-Linked Developer

Consensys, a major provider of Ethereum infrastructure and the developer of crypto wallet MetaMask, unknowingly engaged a software developer linked to the North Korean government. The case highlights the security risks facing technology companies as operatives use remote-work arrangements, outsourcing vendors and false identities to gain access to corporate systems and source code.

The developer was introduced through a third-party service provider and retained limited access to Consensys systems for nearly a month before the person’s identity was uncovered. Consensys immediately revoked the access and opened a security investigation. The company said its review found no theft of assets or exposure of data, though the incident has prompted closer scrutiny of vendor screening and access controls.