MysteryBot Android Banking Trojan

MysteryBot is a newly observed trojan targeting Android banking applications.

Threat ID:: CC-2495
Category:: Trojan
Threat Severity:: Low
Threat Vector:: Download
Published:: 18 June 2018 12:00 AM

Report a cyber attack: call 0300 303 5222 or email [email protected]

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Summary

MysteryBot is a newly observed trojan targeting Android banking applications.

Affected platforms

The following platforms are known to be affected:

Android

Google Android – Versions 7 (Nougat) and 8 (Oreo)

Threat details

It appears to be under active development and shares large parts of its code, as well as its command and control (C2) infrastructure, with the LokiBot trojan.

Currently MysteryBot is delivered disguised as a Flash Player for Android application, although it is likely to use versions of other popular applications to gain access. Once installed, MysteryBot will ask the user for administrative privileges before removing itself from view and hiding its processes.

MysteryBot attempts to acquire financial credentials using both overlay attacks and keylogging on an affected device. It is able to circumvent the security features introduced in Android 7 to prevent overlay attacks, targeting a hardcoded list of banking applications.
Alongside this, MysteryBot also includes a ransomware module that does not encrypt files, instead creating password-protected ZIP archives for each individual file. However, the password used is only 8 characters long, meaning it could be easily brute-forced to retrieve the affected files.

Remediation advice

To prevent and detect a trojan infection, ensure that:

Remediation steps

Type	Step
	A robust program of education and awareness training is delivered to users to ensure they don’t open attachments or follow links within unsolicited emails. All operating systems, anti-virus and other security products are kept up-to-date. All day-to-day computer activities such as email and internet are performed using non-administrative accounts. Strong password policies are in place. Network, proxy and firewall logs should be monitored for suspicious activity. User accounts accessed from affected devices should be reset on a clean computer. Your organisation adopts a holistic all-round approach to Cyber Security as advocated by the 10 Steps to Cyber Security.

Type

Step

A robust program of education and awareness training is delivered to users to ensure they don’t open attachments or follow links within unsolicited emails.
All operating systems, anti-virus and other security products are kept up-to-date.
All day-to-day computer activities such as email and internet are performed using non-administrative accounts.
Strong password policies are in place.
Network, proxy and firewall logs should be monitored for suspicious activity.
User accounts accessed from affected devices should be reset on a clean computer.
Your organisation adopts a holistic all-round approach to Cyber Security as advocated by the 10 Steps to Cyber Security.

Last edited: 17 February 2020 12:50 pm