Unit 42 researchers have uncovered a previously unknown Android spyware family, which we have named LANDFALL. To deliver the spyware, attackers exploited a zero-day vulnerability (CVE-2025-21042) in Samsung’s Android image processing library.
The specific flaw LANDFALL exploited, CVE-2025-21042, is not an isolated case but rather part of a broader pattern of similar issues found on multiple mobile platforms. This vulnerability was actively exploited in the wild before Samsung patched it in April 2025, following reports of in-the-wild attacks. However, the exploit itself — and the commercial-grade spyware used with it — have not yet been publicly reported and analyzed.
Read more…
Source: Palo Alto Unit 42
Sign up for the Cyber Security Review Newsletter
The latest cyber security news and insights delivered right to your inbox
Related:
- Greece leaves spy services unchecked on Predator hacks
August 7, 2024
Greece’s 2022 espionage scandal dubbed “Predatorgate” had everything: eavesdropping on politicians, journalists and judges, exports of shady software to dictatorial regimes and high-profile resignations. Fast-forward two years and everyone in government is off the hook. In a 300-page report seen by POLITICO, deputy prosecutor of the Supreme Court Achilles Zisis argued that a series of controversial ...
- LianSpy: new Android spyware targeting Russian users
August 5, 2024
In March 2024, Kaspersky researchers discovered a campaign targeting individuals in Russia with previously unseen Android spyware they dubbed LianSpy. Kaspersky analysis indicates that the malware has been active since July 2021. This threat is equipped to capture screencasts, exfiltrate user files, and harvest call logs and app lists. The malicious actor behind LianSpy employs multiple ...
- Mandrake spyware sneaks onto Google Play again, flying under the radar for two years
July 29, 2024
In April 2024, Kaspersky researchers discovered a suspicious sample that appeared to be a new version of Mandrake. Ensuing analysis revealed as many as five Mandrake applications, which had been available on Google Play from 2022 to 2024 with more than 32,000 installs in total, while staying undetected by any other vendor. The new samples included ...
- Data breach exposes US spyware maker behind Windows, Mac, Android and Chromebook malware
July 25, 2024
A little-known spyware maker based in Minnesota has been hacked, TechCrunch has learned, revealing thousands of devices around the world under its stealthy remote surveillance. A person with knowledge of the breach provided TechCrunch with a cache of files taken from the company’s servers containing detailed device activity logs from the phones, tablets, and computers that ...
- I spy another mSpy breach: Millions more stalkerware buyers exposed
July 14, 2024
Commercial spyware maker mSpy has been breached – again – and millions of purchasers can be identified from the spilled records.… mSpy showed up on Have I Been Pwned on July 11, with the site revealing hacktivists were responsible for the theft of millions of Zendesk support tickets from buyers unable to use the software. “Comprising ...
- iPhone users in 98 countries warned about spyware by Apple
July 12, 2024
In April 2024, we reported how Apple was warning people of mercenary attacks via its threat notification system. At the time it warned users in 92 countries. In a new round, Apple is now warning users in 98 countries of potential mercenary spyware attacks. The message sent to the affected users says: “Apple detected that you ...

