Doctor Web researchers discovered a new spyware, tracked as Android. Spy.1292.origin, targets Russian military people. The malicious code was concealed in a trojanized Alpine Quest app and distributed via Russian Android catalogues. The malware acquires contacts, geolocation, and file data, and it can also download additional modules to exfiltrate stored data when directed.
“Alpine Quest is topographic software that allows different maps to be used both in online and offline mode. It is popular among athletes, travelers, and hunters but also widely used by Russian military personnel in the Special Military Operation zone—and this is what the malware campaign organizers decided to exploit.” reads the report published by researchers at Doctor Web. Threat actors embedded Android.Spy.1292.origin into one of the older Alpine Quest app versions and distributed the trojanized variant under the guise of a freely available version of Alpine Quest Pro, a program with advanced functionality.”
To propagate the trojanized Alpine Quest software, threat actors developed a fraudulent Telegram channel. They shared an app download link from a Russian app store, and then they used the same route to push a malicious update.
To evade detection, Android.Spy.1292.origin is embedded within a real copy of the Alpine Quest app, causing it to seem and behave just like the original.
When the app is activated, the trojan discreetly collects and sends information to a command-and-control server, including the user's phone number, accounts, contact list, current date, geolocation, stored file details, and app version. Simultaneously, it transmits some of this information, such as updated geolocation, with the attackers' Telegram bot whenever the device's position changes.
Once the trojan has gathered file information, attackers can command it to download and execute other modules to steal specific data. The attackers behind the malicious app appear to be interested in confidential information transmitted via Telegram and WhatsApp, as well as the locLog file generated by Alpine Quest. This allows Android.Spy.1292.origin to track user whereabouts and extract sensitive data. Its modular design enables it to broaden its capabilities and engage in a wider range of malicious actions.
“As a result, Android.Spy.1292.origin not only allows user locations to be monitored but also confidential files to be hijacked. In addition, its functionality can be expanded via the download of new modules, which allows it to then execute a wider spectrum of malicious tasks.” the researchers added.
The researchers recommend installing Android apps only from trustworthy sources, such as official app stores, and avoiding Telegram groups and dodgy websites, particularly those providing free versions of commercial apps. Users should also verify app distributors, as cybercriminals frequently copy legitimate developers using identical names and logos.
