Android.Basebridge

Discovered:

June 9, 2011

Updated:

June 14, 2011 5:24:22 AM

Type:

Trojan

Infection Length:

33.894 bytes and 38.628 bytes

Systems Affected:

Android

CVE References:

CVE-2009-1185

When an infected application is installed, it attempts to exploit the udev Netlink Message Validation Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability (BID 34536) in order to obtain "root" privileges.

Once running with "root" privileges it drops its payload (stored as resource "res/raw/anserverb" in the original package) as "SMSApp.apk" and installs it.

The dropped "SMSApp.apk" file contains functionality to communicate with the following control server using HTTP protocol:
b3.8866.org on port 8080

The following information may be sent to the control server:

• Subscriber ID (e.g. IMSI for a GSM phone)
• Manufacturer and Model of the device
• Version of the Android operating system

Next, the Trojan periodically connects to the control server and may perform the following actions:

• Send SMS messages
• Remove SMS messages from the Inbox
• Dial phone numbers

The Trojan also contains functionality to monitor phone usage.

It may end the app 360 Mobile Safe (com.qihoo360.mobilesafe).

If the following SMS message arrives from China Mobile the Trojan may delete it:

Recommendations

Symantec Security Response encourages all users and administrators to adhere to the following basic security "best practices":

• Use a firewall to block all incoming connections from the Internet to services that should not be publicly available. By default, you should deny all incoming connections and only allow services you explicitly want to offer to the outside world.
• Enforce a password policy. Complex passwords make it difficult to crack password files on compromised computers. This helps to prevent or limit damage when a computer is compromised.
• Ensure that programs and users of the computer use the lowest level of privileges necessary to complete a task. When prompted for a root or UAC password, ensure that the program asking for administration-level access is a legitimate application.
• Disable AutoPlay to prevent the automatic launching of executable files on network and removable drives, and disconnect the drives when not required. If write access is not required, enable read-only mode if the option is available.
• Turn off file sharing if not needed. If file sharing is required, use ACLs and password protection to limit access. Disable anonymous access to shared folders. Grant access only to user accounts with strong passwords to folders that must be shared.
• Turn off and remove unnecessary services. By default, many operating systems install auxiliary services that are not critical. These services are avenues of attack. If they are removed, threats have less avenues of attack.
• If a threat exploits one or more network services, disable, or block access to, those services until a patch is applied.
• Always keep your patch levels up-to-date, especially on computers that host public services and are accessible through the firewall, such as HTTP, FTP, mail, and DNS services.
• Configure your email server to block or remove email that contains file attachments that are commonly used to spread threats, such as .vbs, .bat, .exe, .pif and .scr files.
• Isolate compromised computers quickly to prevent threats from spreading further. Perform a forensic analysis and restore the computers using trusted media.
• Train employees not to open attachments unless they are expecting them. Also, do not execute software that is downloaded from the Internet unless it has been scanned for viruses. Simply visiting a compromised Web site can cause infection if certain browser vulnerabilities are not patched.
• If Bluetooth is not required for mobile devices, it should be turned off. If you require its use, ensure that the device's visibility is set to "Hidden" so that it cannot be scanned by other Bluetooth devices. If device pairing must be used, ensure that all devices are set to "Unauthorized", requiring authorization for each connection request. Do not accept applications that are unsigned or sent from unknown sources.
• For further information on the terms used in this document, please refer to the Security Response glossary.