The new Android trojan Crocodilus exploits accessibility features to steal banking and crypto credentials, mainly targeting users in Spain and Turkey.
ThreatFabric researchers discovered a new Android trojan called Crocodilus, which exploits accessibility features to steal banking and crypto credentials.
“Crocodilus enters the scene not as a simple clone, but as a fully-fledged threat from the outset, equipped with modern techniques such as remote control, black screen overlays, and advanced data harvesting via accessibility logging.” reads the report published by ThreatFabric. “This report explores the features of Crocodilus, its links to known threat actors, and how it lures victims into helping the malware steal their own credentials.”
The new threat mimics modern banking malware, using overlay attacks, keylogging, and remote access. The experts noted that it bypasses dropper bypassing Android 13+ restrictions via a dropper.
Crocodilus connects to a C2 server, it monitors app launches, and uses overlays to steal credentials. ThreatFabric states that the malware primarily targets users in Spain and Turkey, with global expansion expected. The malware also supports advanced keylogger capabilities by capturing all Accessibility events and screen elements.
The malicious code supports a wide range of bot and RAT commands that allow cybercriminals to fully control an infected device. Key features include:
Bot Capabilities:
- Call & SMS Control: Enables call forwarding, sends SMS to specified numbers or all contacts, retrieves SMS messages, and makes itself the default SMS manager.
- Overlay Attacks: Checks for available overlays targeting installed applications, typically for credential theft.
- Device Administration & Persistence: Requests Device Admin privileges, locks the screen, and protects itself from deletion.
- Notifications & Social Engineering: Posts fake push notifications to trick users.
- Remote Commands & Settings Updates: Updates bot and C2 settings, enables/disables sound, and handles task execution.
RAT Capabilities:
- Screen Interaction & Control: Performs swipes, clicks, and button presses (Back, Home, Menu).
- Hidden RAT Mode: Can enable “hidden” remote access while muting the phone and displaying a black overlay to conceal activities.
- Data Theft: Captures Google Authenticator screen content to steal OTP codes.
- Camera Access: Starts front camera streaming for potential identity theft or surveillance.
Crocodilus steals OTP codes from Google Authenticator via Accessibility Logging, enabling account takeovers. It also uses hidden remote access with a black screen overlay and muted sound to conceal fraudulent activities.
The malware may be linked to the threat actor “sybra,” known for using Ermac forks and other malware. The analysis of the source code suggests its authors are Turkish-speaking.
Crocodilus tricks victims into revealing their seed phrase by displaying a fake warning, then logs the text via Accessibility features to steal and drain crypto wallets.
“The emergence of the Crocodilus mobile banking Trojan marks a significant escalation in the sophistication and threat level posed by modern malware. With its advanced Device-Takeover capabilities, remote control features, and the deployment of black overlay attacks from its earliest iterations, Crocodilus demonstrates a level of maturity uncommon in newly discovered threats.” ThreatFabric concludes. “Already observed targeting banks in Spain and Turkey and popular cryptocurrency wallets, Crocodilus is clearly engineered to go after high-value assets.”
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Pierluigi Paganini
(SecurityAffairs – hacking, malware)