A sophisticated mobile phishing campaign has been uncovered, where cybercriminals masquerade as recruiters to trick job seekers into downloading malicious Android apps. These apps serve as droppers for a new version of the Antidot banking trojan, now known as AppLite Banker. The attackers lure victims with enticing job offers, often claiming remote customer service roles with competitive pay and career advancement opportunities. Once a victim engages with the phishing scheme, they are directed to download a malicious application from a fake website, which ultimately installs the trojan on their device.
The fraudulent apps are designed to bypass security defenses and install malware without raising suspicion. After the app is downloaded, users are prompted to install an update, which appears to be from the Google Play Store. The app then exploits Android’s Accessibility Services, enabling it to request permissions to overlay the screen, capture unlock PINs, and remotely control the infected device. These features give attackers extensive control over the victim’s phone, allowing them to steal sensitive information and carry out harmful activities undetected.
The AppLite Banker trojan boasts an impressive array of capabilities, including the ability to steal credentials from 172 banks, cryptocurrency wallets, and social media platforms such as Facebook and Telegram. In addition to credential theft, the malware can log keystrokes, steal SMS messages, forward calls, and even display fake login pages to deceive users. It can also hide specific SMS messages, block calls from a predefined set of mobile numbers, and prevent the malware from being uninstalled, all while maintaining control over the compromised device.
The phishing campaign primarily targets users who speak English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, and Russian. As mobile phishing attacks become more sophisticated, experts emphasize the importance of vigilance when receiving unsolicited job offers or downloading apps from unverified sources. Users are urged to employ proactive security measures to safeguard their devices and personal data from such threats, as these types of attacks continue to evolve and spread globally.
Reference:
