Analysis by: Ecular Xu

 PLATFORM:

Android

 OVERALL RISK RATING:
 DAMAGE POTENTIAL:
 DISTRIBUTION POTENTIAL:
 REPORTED INFECTION:
 INFORMATION EXPOSURE:

  • Threat Type: Backdoor

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

This malware masquerades as popular apps like MMS, whatsapp, and Pokemon Go. It is capable of hijacking a phone and is capable of many actions including calling a number or sending an SMS indicated by an attacker, upload files into a C&C server, and steal information.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

Backdoor Routine

This Backdoor posts the following information to its command and control (C&C) server:

  • call logs
  • SMS records
  • contacts
  • phone numbers
  • SIM serial number
  • location
  • and browser bookmarks
  • Android OS version
  • username
  • Wi-Fi
  • battery
  • Bluetooth
  • audio states
  • UiMode
  • sensor
  • data from camera, browser, and searches
  • service processes
  • activity information
  • wallpaper

NOTES:

This malware receives commands from the following C&C servers:

  • {BLOCKED}ife.ddns.net
  • {BLOCKED}e.ddns.net
  • {BLOCKED}-ip.biz
  • {BLOCKED}e.no-ip.biz

The command that allows attackers to manipulate the device’s functionalities without the owner’s consent or knowledge.

Below is a list of some of the action codes and what each does to the device:

  • ACTION CODE =10, 11: Control the Wi-Fi state
  • ACTION CODE= 34: Monitor the phone sensors’ data in real time
  • ACTION CODE= 37: Set phone’s UiMode, like night mode/car mode
  • ACTION CODE= 41: Control the vibrate function, including the pattern and when it will vibrate
  • ACTION CODE= 46: Download pictures as wallpaper
  • ACTION CODE= 48: List the file information in the current directory and upload it to the C&C server
  • ACTION CODE= 49: Delete a file in the indicated directory
  • ACTION CODE= 50: Rename a file in the indicated directory
  • ACTION CODE= 51: Upload a desired file to the C&C server
  • ACTION CODE= 52: Create an indicated directory
  • ACTION CODE= 60: Use the text to speech feature (translate text to voice/audio)
  • ACTION CODE= 62: Send SMS/MMS to a number specified by the attacker; the content can also be customized
  • ACTION CODE= 68: Delete browser history
  • ACTION CODE= 70: Delete SMS
  • ACTION CODE= 74: Download file
  • ACTION CODE= 75: Call a phone number indicated by the attacker
  • ACTION CODE= 77: Open activity view-related apps; the Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) can also be specified by the attacker (open browser, map, dial view, etc.)
  • ACTION CODE= 78: Control the system infrared transmitter
  • ACTION CODE= 79: Run a shell command specified by the attacker and upload the output result

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.850

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as ANDROIDOS_GHOSTCTRL.OPS. If the detected files have already been cleaned, deleted, or quarantined by your Trend Micro product, no further step is required. You may opt to simply delete the quarantined files. Please check this Knowledge Base page for more information.


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