LianSpy: new Android spyware targeting Russian users


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 evasive tactics, such as leveraging a Russian cloud service, Yandex Disk, for C2 communications. They also avoid having dedicated infrastructure, and employ a lot of other features to keep the spyware undiscovered. Some of these features suggest that LianSpy is most likely deployed through either an unknown vulnerability or direct physical access to the target phone.

Read more…
Source: Kaspersky


Sign up for our Newsletter


Related:

  • Again and again, NSO Group’s customers keep getting their spyware operations caught

    March 28, 2025

    On Thursday, Amnesty International published a new report detailing attempted hacks against two Serbian journalists, allegedly carried out with NSO Group’s spyware Pegasus. The two journalists, who work for the Serbia-based Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN), received suspicious text messages including a link — basically a phishing attack, according to the nonprofit. In one case, Amnesty ...

  • Operation ForumTroll: APT attack with Google Chrome zero-day exploit chain

    March 25, 2025

    In mid-March 2025, Kaspersky technologies detected a wave of infections by previously unknown and highly sophisticated malware. In all cases, infection occurred immediately after the victim clicked on a link in a phishing email, and the attackers’ website was opened using the Google Chrome web browser. No further action was required to become infected. All malicious ...

  • ZDI-CAN-25373: Windows shortcut exploit abused as Zero-Day in widespread APT campaigns

    March 18, 2025

    The Trend Zero Day Initiative threat hunting team identified significant instances of the exploitation of ZDI-CAN-25373 across a variety of campaigns dating back to 2017. The researchers analysis revealed that 11 state-sponsored groups from North Korea, Iran, Russia, and China have employed ZDI-CAN-25373 in operations primarily motivated by cyber espionage and data theft. Trend Micro discovered ...

  • Squid Werewolf cyber spies masquerade as recruiters

    March 12, 2025

    Espionage activity clusters may pose as recruiters to distribute phishing emails, targeting key employees in organizations of interest. In December 2024, the BI.ZONE Threat Intelligence team uncovered a peculiar phishing campaign aimed at luring victims with fake job opportunities at an industrial organization. A detailed analysis revealed that the attack had been carried out by Squid Werewolf ...

  • SideWinder targets the maritime and nuclear sectors with an updated toolset

    March 10, 2025

    Last year, Kaspersky researchers published an article about SideWinder, a highly prolific APT group whose primary targets have been military and government entities in Pakistan, Sri Lanka, China, and Nepal. In the article, they described activities that had mostly happened in the first half of the year. The researchers tried to draw attention to the group, ...

  • Israel: Unit 8200 created AI language learning tool from intercepted Palestinian Arabic comms

    March 7, 2025

    Israel’s military surveillance Unit 8200 has reportedly developed a vast database of intercepted Palestinian communications in order to construct an artificial intelligence tool similar to ChatGPT, a joint investigation by The Guardian, +972 Magazine and Mekomit alleged on Thursday. Israel reportedly hopes that the resulting AI tool “will transform its spying capabilities.” The investigation by the ...