A Chinese website appears to be distributing pirated versions of iOS apps for free, and it seems they’re using a system powered by Apple’s own enterprise licensing technology!
The website in question, 7659.com, is actually a Web portal of a desktop program called “KuaiYong,” which poses as a bulk licensing authorization asset to distribute free software to users. The software first hit the Web in 2012, and the new site is supposedly meant to streamline app discovery and downloading by making titles accessible online instead of through a dedicated program. KuaiYong’s desktop software is still needed to retrieve the pirated apps.
The website was first spotted by blog M.I.C. Gadget, and allows iPhone and iPad owners to download and install popular iOS apps without going through the official App Store.
KuaiYong reportedly leverages Apple’s enterprise app distribution system, which is used by corporations and institutions to distribute internal apps to employees and staff. The protocol allows for what is basically unlimited app distribution once a developer provisioning profile has been granted by Apple.
By using this tactic, KuaiYong allows iPhone and iPad owners install pirated software to their device without jailbreaking it, and is essentially distributing one app, with one license, continuously to the users.
The pirated wares are not accessible outside of China, as the proxy software is not supported internationally, although using a spoofed IP address does allow viewing of the website.
M.I.C. Gadget reports the team behind the operation is preparing an international version of the program, with an English version coming to Windows users soon. The service claims to have five million users in China.
Apple has not commented on the matter.
