Cybercriminals have launched a sophisticated campaign on Meta’s advertising platforms, luring unsuspecting users with a fraudulent offer for a free TradingView Premium app for Android. This deceptive scheme, which has been active since at least July 22nd, is designed to distribute the Brokewell malware, a potent threat capable of pilfering cryptocurrency and other sensitive information. By impersonating a trusted brand and targeting mobile users, the attackers have crafted a highly effective method to compromise devices and gain a broad range of malicious capabilities. The campaign’s success is bolstered by an estimated 75 localized ads, demonstrating a concerted effort to reach a wide audience.
The attack is meticulously designed to target mobile users. Cybersecurity researchers at Bitdefender discovered that the malicious ads, which feature TradingView branding and visuals, only redirect to the malware download page when accessed from an Android device. Users on other operating systems are instead led to harmless content, a tactic that helps the attackers avoid detection and focus on their primary targets. Upon clicking the ad from an Android device, victims are taken to a fraudulent webpage that mimics the legitimate TradingView site and prompts them to download a malicious file named tw-update.apk. This careful targeting ensures that the cybercriminals maximize their efforts on the most vulnerable population.
Once the malicious application is downloaded, it employs a series of deceptive techniques to take over the device. The app first requests accessibility permissions, and after gaining approval, it displays a fake update prompt that covers the screen. In the background, the malware stealthily grants itself all the necessary permissions to operate. A particularly insidious tactic is its attempt to steal the device’s PIN by simulating an Android update request that requires the lockscreen password. These actions allow the Brokewell malware to establish a firm foothold on the device, granting it the extensive control it needs to carry out its nefarious activities without the user’s immediate knowledge.
The Brokewell malware, which has been active since early 2024, is an advanced and highly capable threat.
According to Bitdefender, this version of the malware boasts a vast arsenal of tools for monitoring, controlling, and stealing sensitive information. Its capabilities include scanning for cryptocurrency assets such as BTC, ETH, and USDT, and stealing bank account numbers (IBANs). The malware can bypass two-factor authentication (2FA) by stealing and exporting codes from Google Authenticator and can hijack accounts by overlaying fake login screens. Furthermore, it can record screens and keystrokes, steal cookies, activate the camera and microphone, track location, and intercept SMS messages, including those containing banking and 2FA codes.
The scope of the malware’s control is vast, enabling remote command and manipulation of the compromised device. Brokewell can receive commands over Tor or Websockets, allowing the attackers to remotely send texts, place calls, uninstall applications, or even self-destruct the malware itself. Bitdefender’s research provides a technical overview and an extensive list of over 130 supported commands, highlighting the malware’s comprehensive and dangerous capabilities. This campaign is reportedly part of a larger operation that initially used Facebook ads to impersonate dozens of well-known brands and target Windows users, indicating a broader and ongoing effort by these cybercriminals to exploit various platforms and victim types.
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