A new and sophisticated Android malware, named SpyAgent, has emerged as a significant threat to users in South Korea and the U.K., disguising itself as legitimate applications across various sectors such as banking, government, streaming, and utilities. Since the beginning of the year, over 280 fake applications have been identified. These apps are distributed through SMS messages containing malicious links that prompt users to download APK files from deceptive websites. Once installed, these apps request extensive permissions to access and exfiltrate sensitive data, including contacts, SMS messages, and photos.
The most concerning aspect of SpyAgent is its use of optical character recognition (OCR) technology to target mnemonic keys, which are crucial for recovering cryptocurrency wallets. By scanning images on an infected device, SpyAgent aims to extract these recovery phrases. If successful, attackers can gain unauthorized access to cryptocurrency wallets and potentially siphon off all stored funds, posing a significant risk to users’ financial security.
McAfee Labs has reported that the malware’s command-and-control (C2) infrastructure reveals serious security lapses. These vulnerabilities include unprotected access to the root directory of the C2 server and exposed victim data. Additionally, the server features an administrator panel capable of remotely controlling infected devices. The presence of an Apple iPhone running iOS in the panel suggests that SpyAgent may also target iOS users, broadening its potential impact.
In a notable shift, SpyAgent has transitioned from using simple HTTP requests for communication with its C2 server to employing WebSocket connections. This change enhances the malware’s ability to conduct real-time, two-way interactions while evading detection by traditional HTTP-based security measures. This development follows the recent revelation of another Android remote access trojan (RAT), CraxsRAT, which also targets banking users through phishing schemes, underscoring the increasing sophistication and threat level of mobile malware.
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