Android.Qdplugin

Discovered:

October 17, 2012

Updated:

October 29, 2012 7:06:34 PM

Type:

Trojan

Systems Affected:

Android

Android package file
The Trojan arrives on the device as part of repackaged versions of legitimate applications. It may arrive as a package with the following characteristics:

Package names:

• air.com.huale.StarWar
• air.com.huale.SummerFishing
• com.letang.game124.cn.free
• com.letang.game126.en
• com.letang.game128.cn
• com.letanginc.marinedefender
• com.mobappbox.glasstower

Permissions
When the Trojan is being installed, it requests permissions to perform the following actions:

• Access information about networks (including Wi-Fi)
• Access to the list of accounts in the Accounts Service
• Allow read-only access to the phone state
• Cause the phone to vibrate
• Install packages
• Monitor incoming SMS messages, to record or perform processing on them
• Mount and unmount file systems for removable storage
• Open network sockets
• Open windows using the TYPE_SYSTEM_ALERT command, which is shown on top of all other applications
• Receive the ACTION_BOOT_COMPLETED message that is broadcast after the system finishes booting
• Send SMS messages
• Use PowerManager WakeLocks to keep the processor from sleeping or the screen from dimming
• Write to (but not read) the owner's data
• Write to external storage devices

Installation
The Trojan arrives on the device as part of repackaged versions of legitimate applications. Once installed, the application will display an icon for the legitimate application.




Functionality
The Trojan executes whenever it receives one of the following commands:

• android.intent.action.PACKAGE_ADDED
• android.intent.action.PACKAGE_INSTALL
• android.intent.action.PACKAGE_REMOVED
• android.intent.action.SCREEN_ON
• android.net.conn.CONNECTIVITY_CHANGE
• android.provider.Telephony.SMS_RECEIVED

When the Trojan executes, it steals information from the device, including:

• Country code
• IMEI
• IMSI
• Screen size

It sends the stolen information to the following remote location:
[http://]data.cnappbox.com/andro[REMOVED]

Next, the Trojan may download an advertisement APK on to the compromised device. The advertisement APK may have one of the following common file extensions:

• .cfg
• .mid
  
• .mp3
• .m4a
  
• .oog
  
• .so
• .swf
• .wav
• .xml
  

The Trojan then displays a message on the device.




The Trojan then opens a back door on the compromised device and connects to the following locations:

• server0.jsjz.iego.net/pluginPHP/pluginapk.php
• server0.jsjz.iego.net/pluginPHP/addata.php

The Trojan may then issue the following commands:

• killServiceName
• shieldAdIDs
• shieldChannelIDs
• noticeHead
• noticeTitle
• noticeContent
• url
• iconId
• pushApkName
• downloadProbability
• pictureUrl
• shieldCountry
• shieldIMEI
• shieldIMSI
• shieldLanguage
• shieldPackageName
• shieldIpInfo
• specifiedCountry
• specifiedIMEI
• specifiedIMSI
• specifiedLanguage
• specifiedPackageName
• specifiedIpInfo

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.