CyberSecurity news
FlagThis - #androidmalware
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Bill Toulas@BleepingComputer
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A new malware-as-a-service (MaaS) platform, called 'SuperCard X', has surfaced, targeting Android devices. This malware leverages Near-Field Communication (NFC) relay attacks to facilitate unauthorized point-of-sale (POS) and Automated Teller Machine (ATM) transactions. It operates by using compromised payment card data obtained through social engineering tactics. Victims are often lured into downloading a malicious application via SMS or phone calls, which then captures payment card data when the card is in proximity to the infected device.
This sophisticated Android-based malware is part of a fraud campaign that combines social engineering, malware distribution, and NFC data interception. The data captured is relayed in real-time through a Command and Control (C2) infrastructure to an attacker-controlled device, enabling immediate fraudulent cash withdrawals and purchases. The malware’s architecture includes two applications: “Reader” for capturing NFC card data and “Tapper” for receiving this data and performing the fraud. Communication between these apps uses HTTP over a C2 infrastructure, which employs mutual TLS (mTLS) to secure and authenticate connections. SuperCard X exhibits a low detection rate among antivirus solutions due to its narrow focus on NFC data capture and minimal permission requirements. Cleafy Threat Intelligence researchers identified code similarities between SuperCard X and the open-source NFCGate tool, as well as another Android malware called NGate. This type of attack represents a significant escalation in fraud capabilities, extending beyond the usual targets of banking institutions to directly impact payment providers and card issuers. Recommended read:
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Pierluigi Paganini@securityaffairs.com
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A new cybersecurity threat has emerged, with cheap Chinese Android phones being shipped with pre-installed malware disguised as popular messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram. These trojanized applications contain cryptocurrency clippers, malicious programs designed to replace copied wallet addresses with those controlled by the attackers. This allows the theft of cryptocurrency during transactions without the user's knowledge. The campaign, active since June 2024, targets low-end devices, often mimicking premium brands like Samsung and Huawei, with models such as "S23 Ultra," "Note 13 Pro," and "P70 Ultra." At least four of the affected models are manufactured under the SHOWJI brand.
These counterfeit phones often spoof their technical specifications, falsely displaying that they are running the latest Android version and have improved hardware to avoid detection. According to researchers at Doctor Web, the infected devices ship with modified versions of WhatsApp that operate as clippers. These malicious programs quietly swap out wallet strings for popular coins like Ethereum and Tron whenever users send or receive them through chat. Victims remain unaware as the malware displays the correct wallet address on the sender’s screen but delivers the wrong one to the receiver, and vice versa, until the money disappears. The attackers have expanded their reach beyond WhatsApp and Telegram, with researchers identifying nearly 40 fake applications, including crypto wallets like Trust Wallet and MathWallet, and even QR code readers. The malware is injected using a tool called LSPatch, allowing modifications without altering the core app code, which helps evade detection and survive updates. Doctor Web reports that the malware hijacks the app update process to retrieve an APK file from a server under the attacker's control and searches for strings in chat conversations that match cryptocurrency wallet address patterns. Recommended read:
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@The DefendOps Diaries
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A new version of the Triada trojan has been discovered preinstalled on thousands of new Android devices, raising significant cybersecurity concerns. This sophisticated malware, initially identified in 2016, has evolved to embed itself deeply into the Android system framework, making it difficult for users to detect or remove. Discovered on counterfeit versions of popular smartphone models sold at discounted prices through online stores, Triada poses a severe threat as it can steal user data immediately after device setup.
Triada's capabilities include stealing user data, such as social media and messenger accounts, and manipulating cryptocurrency transactions by replacing wallet addresses. The malware can also falsify caller IDs, monitor browser activity, and even activate premium SMS services. Experts warn that this new version infiltrates the device at the firmware level, indicating a compromised supply chain and urging users to exercise caution and purchase Android devices from reputable sources. Recommended read:
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rohansinhacyblecom@cyble.com
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A new Android banking trojan called Crocodilus has been discovered, targeting users in Spain and Turkey. Cybersecurity experts warn that this sophisticated malware employs advanced techniques like remote control, black screen overlays, and data harvesting through accessibility logging. Crocodilus is designed to facilitate device takeover and conduct fraudulent transactions, masquerading as Google Chrome to bypass Android 13+ restrictions.
Once installed, Crocodilus requests access to Android's accessibility services and connects to a remote server for instructions and a list of targeted financial applications. The malware steals banking and crypto credentials by displaying HTML overlays and monitors all accessibility events to capture screen contents, including Google Authenticator details. Crocodilus conceals malicious activities using a black screen overlay and muting sounds to avoid detection. Recommended read:
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rohansinhacyblecom@cyble.com
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A new Android malware named Crocodilus has been discovered targeting cryptocurrency users, primarily in Spain and Turkey. Cybersecurity researchers have found that Crocodilus employs sophisticated techniques, including remote control capabilities, black screen overlays, and advanced data harvesting through accessibility logging. The malware is designed to steal banking and cryptocurrency credentials, posing a significant threat to Android users in these regions.
Crocodilus tricks users into divulging their cryptocurrency wallet seed phrases by displaying a fake warning urging them to back up their keys to avoid losing access. It also exploits accessibility features to monitor app launches, display overlays to intercept credentials, and capture screen contents, including Google Authenticator OTP codes. This allows attackers to gain full control of wallets and drain assets. The malware also features call and SMS control, device admin and persistence, social engineering, and remote commands and settings update capabilities. ThreatFabric researchers note that Crocodilus exhibits a high level of maturity for a newly discovered threat, demonstrating advanced device takeover capabilities. The malware is distributed via a proprietary dropper that bypasses Android 13 security protections and installs the malware without triggering Play Protect. Analysis of the source code suggests that the malware author is Turkish-speaking. Recommended read:
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info@thehackernews.com (The@The Hacker News
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A new Android malware campaign, potentially linked to previous attacks targeting Indian military personnel, has been identified focusing on users in Taiwan. The malware, known as PJobRAT, is an Android Remote Access Trojan (RAT) that steals sensitive data. It operates by disguising itself as legitimate chat applications, tricking users into installation. Once installed, PJobRAT can extract SMS messages, phone contacts, device information, documents, and media files from infected devices, enabling deep surveillance and remote control.
Researchers at Sophos X-Ops uncovered this recent campaign, observing activity from January 2023 to October 2024. The malicious chat apps, named SangaalLite and CChat, were distributed through compromised WordPress sites. While this particular campaign may be paused, it illustrates that threat actors often retool and retarget after an initial campaign, improving their malware and adjusting their approach before striking again. Users are advised to avoid installing apps from untrusted sources and employ mobile security solutions for protection. Recommended read:
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Deeba Ahmed@hackread.com
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A new wave of Android malware campaigns are exploiting Microsoft’s .NET MAUI framework to target users, particularly in India and China. Cybersecurity researchers at McAfee Labs have identified these malicious applications, which disguise themselves as legitimate services like banking and social media apps, to steal sensitive user information. These fake apps, collectively codenamed FakeApp, are not distributed through official channels like Google Play, but rather through bogus links sent via messaging apps and unofficial app stores. .NET MAUI, designed as a cross-platform development framework, allows these threats to conceal malicious code, making them difficult to detect by traditional antivirus solutions.
Researchers have found that the malware's core functionalities are written entirely in C# and stored as binary large objects, evading detection methods that typically analyze DEX files or native libraries. For instance, a fraudulent banking app impersonates IndusInd Bank, targeting Indian users by prompting them to enter personal and financial details, which are then sent to the attacker's command-and-control server. Another instance involves a fake social networking service app aimed at Chinese-speaking users, employing multi-stage dynamic loading to decrypt and execute its payload in separate stages, further complicating analysis and disrupting security tools. Recommended read:
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