Older versions of Android contained various vulnerabilities that allowed gaining root access to the device. Many malicious programs exploited these to elevate their system privileges and gain persistence. The notorious Triada Trojan also used this attack vector. With time, the vulnerabilities were patched, and restrictions were added to the firmware. Specifically, system partitions in recent Android versions cannot be edited, even with superuser privileges. Ironically, this has inadvertently benefited malicious actors.
While external malware now faces greater permission restrictions, pre-installed malware within system partitions has become impossible to remove. Attackers are leveraging this by embedding malicious software into Android device firmware. This is how one of Kaspersky earlier findings, the Dwphon loader, functioned. It was built into system apps for over-the-air (OTA) updates. In March 2025, Kaspersky research highlighted the Triada Trojan’s evolved tactics to overcome Android’s enhanced privilege restrictions.
Read more…
Source: Kaspersky
Sign up for our Newsletter
The latest news and insights delivered right to your inbox.
Related:
- RenEngine: When “free” comes at too high a price
February 11, 2026
Kaspersky researchers often describe cases of malware distribution under the guise of game cheats and pirated software. Sometimes such methods are used to spread complex malware that employs advanced techniques and sophisticated infection chains. In February 2026, researchers from Howler Cell announced the discovery of a mass campaign distributing pirated games infected with a previously unknown ...
- Patch Tuesday – February 2026
February 11, 2026
Microsoft is publishing 55 vulnerabilities this February 2026 Patch Tuesday. Microsoft is aware of exploitation in the wild for six of today’s vulnerabilities, and notes public disclosure for three of those. Earlier in the month, All three of the publicly disclosed zero-day vulnerabilities published today are security feature bypasses, and Microsoft acknowledges the same cast of ...
- Spam and phishing in 2025
February 11, 2026
In 2025, online streaming services remained a primary theme for phishing sites within the entertainment sector, typically by offering early access to major premieres ahead of their official release dates. Alongside these, there was a notable increase in phishing pages mimicking ticket aggregation platforms for live events. Cybercriminals lured users with offers of free tickets to ...
- Beyond the Battlefield: Threats to the Defense Industrial Base
February 10, 2026
In modern warfare, the front lines are no longer confined to the battlefield; they extend directly into the servers and supply chains of the industry that safeguards the nation. Today, the defense sector faces a relentless barrage of cyber operations conducted by state-sponsored actors and criminal groups alike. In recent years, Google Threat Intelligence Group (GTIG) ...
- A Peek Into Muddled Libra’s Operational Playbook
February 10, 2026
During a September 2025 incident response investigation, Unit 42 discovered a rogue virtual machine (VM) which they believe with high confidence to be used by the cybercrime group Muddled Libra (aka Scattered Spider, UNC3944). The contents of this rogue VM and activity from the attack provide valuable insight into the operational playbook of this threat actor. ...
- SolarWinds Web Help Desk Exploitation – February 2026
February 10, 2026
Multiple intrusions have been publicly reported starting on February 6, 2026 stemming from Internet-connected servers utilizing SolarWinds Web Help Desk software. This exploitation activity reportedly first occurred in December 2025. Given the number of recent CVEs affecting this product, it’s not yet clear which of several CVEs is directly responsible for these campaigns. Below are ...