The statistics in this report are based on detection verdicts returned by Kaspersky products unless otherwise stated. The information was provided by Kaspersky users who consented to sharing statistical data.
Quarterly figures
In Q1Β 2026:
Kaspersky products blocked more than 343 million attacks that originated with various online resources.
Web Anti-Virus responded to 50 million unique links.
File Anti-Virus blocked nearly 15 million malicious and potentially unwanted objects.
2938 new ransomware variants were detected.
More than 77,000 users experienced ransomware attacks.
14% of all ransomware victims whose data was published on threat actorsβ data leak sites (DLS) were victims of Clop.
More than 260,000 users were targeted by miners.
Ransomware
Quarterly trends and highlights
Law enforcement success
In January 2026, it was reported that the FBI had seized the domains of the RAMP cybercrime forum, a major platform used extensively by ransomware developers to advertise their RaaS programs and to recruit affiliates. There has been no official statement from the FBI, nor is it clear if RAMP servers were seized. In a post on an external website, a RAMP moderator mentioned law enforcement agencies gaining control over the forum. The takedown disrupted a key element of the RaaS ecosystem, creating ripple effects for ransomware operators, affiliates, and initial access brokers.
A man suspected of links to the Phobos group was apprehended in Poland. He was charged with the creation, acquisition, and distribution of software designed for unlawfully obtaining information, including data that facilitates unauthorized access to information stored within a computer system.
In March, a Phobos ransomware administrator pleaded guilty to the creation and distribution of the Trojan, which had been used in international attacks dating back to at least November 2020.
In March, the U.S. Department of Justice charged a man who had acted as a negotiator for ransomware groups. The company he worked for specializes in cyberincident investigations. The prosecution alleges the suspect colluded with the BlackCat threat actor to share privileged insights into the ongoing progress of negotiations. Additionally, the suspect is alleged to have had a prior direct role in BlackCat attacks, serving as an affiliate for the RaaS operation.
In a separate development this March, a U.S. court sentenced an initial access broker associated with the Yanluowang ransomware group to 81 months of imprisonment. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the convict facilitated dozens of ransomware attacks across the United States, resulting in over $9 million in actual loss and more than $24 million in intended loss.
Vulnerabilities and attacks
The Interlock group has been heavily exploiting the CVE-2026-20131 zero-day vulnerability in Cisco Secure FMC firewall management software since at least January 26, 2026. The vulnerability enabled arbitrary Java code execution with root privileges on the affected device. This campaign demonstrates the ongoing reliance on zero-day vulnerabilities for initial access, a focus on network appliances as high-value entry points, and the rapid weaponization of new vulnerabilities within the ransomware ecosystem.
The most prolific groups
This section highlights the most prolific ransomware gangs by number of victims added to each groupβs DLS. This quarter, the Clop ransomware (14.42%) returned to the top of the rankings, displacingΒ Qilin (12.34%), which had held the leading position in the previous reporting period. Following closely is a new threat actor, The Gentlemen (9.25%). Emerging no later than July 2025, the group had already surpassed the activity levels of mainstays such as Akira (7.25%) and INC Ransom (6.13%).
Number of each groupβs victims according to its DLS as a percentage of all groupsβ victims published on all the DLSs under review during the reporting period (download)
Number of new variants
In Q1Β 2026, Kaspersky solutions detected six new ransomware families and 2938 new modifications. Volumes have returned to Q3Β 2025 levels following a surge in Q4Β 2025.
Number of new ransomware modifications, Q1 2025 β Q1 2026 (download)
Number of users attacked by ransomware Trojans
Throughout Q1, our solutions protected 77,319 unique users from ransomware. Ransomware activity was highest in March, with 35,056 unique users encountering such attacks during the month.
Number of unique users attacked by ransomware Trojans, Q1 2026 (download)
Attack geography
TOPΒ 10 countries and territories attacked by ransomware Trojans
Country/territory*
%**
1
Pakistan
0.79
2
South Korea
0.64
3
China
0.52
4
Tajikistan
0.40
5
Libya
0.38
6
Turkmenistan
0.36
7
Iraq
0.35
8
Bangladesh
0.33
9
Rwanda
0.30
10
Cameroon
0.28
* Excluded are countries and territories with relatively few (under 50,000) Kaspersky users.
** Unique users whose computers were attacked by ransomware Trojans as a percentage of all unique users of Kaspersky products in the country/territory.
TOPΒ 10 most common families of ransomware Trojans
Name
Verdict
%*
1
(generic verdict)
Trojan-Ransom.Win32.Gen
33.90
2
(generic verdict)
Trojan-Ransom.Win32.Crypren
6.38
3
WannaCry
Trojan-Ransom.Win32.Wanna
5.87
4
(generic verdict)
Trojan-Ransom.Win32.Encoder
4.68
5
(generic verdict)
Trojan-Ransom.Win32.Agent
3.80
6
LockBit
Trojan-Ransom.Win32.Lockbit
2.80
7
(generic verdict)
Trojan-Ransom.Win32.Phny
1.99
8
(generic verdict)
Trojan-Ransom.MSIL.Agent
1.96
9
(generic verdict)
Trojan-Ransom.Python.Agent
1.93
10
(generic verdict)
Trojan-Ransom.Win32.Crypmod
1.89
* Unique Kaspersky users attacked by the specific ransomware Trojan family as a percentage of all unique users attacked by this type of threat.
Miners
Number of new variants
In Q1Β 2026, Kaspersky solutions detected 3485 new modifications of miners.
Number of new miner modifications, Q1 2026 (download)
Number of users attacked by miners
In Q1, we detected attacks using miner programs on the computers of 260,588 unique Kaspersky users worldwide.
Number of unique users attacked by miners, Q1 2026 (download)
Attack geography
TOPΒ 10 countries and territories attacked by miners
Country/territory*
%**
1
Senegal
3.19
2
Turkmenistan
3.06
3
Mali
2.63
4
Tanzania
1.62
5
Bangladesh
1.06
6
Ethiopia
0.95
7
Panama
0.88
8
Afghanistan
0.79
9
Kazakhstan
0.77
10
Bolivia
0.75
* Excluded are countries and territories with relatively few (under 50,000) Kaspersky users.
** Unique users whose computers were attacked by miners as a percentage of all unique users of Kaspersky products in the country/territory.
Attacks on macOS
In Q1Β 2026, Google uncovered a new cryptocurrency theft campaign. The scammers directed victims to a fraudulent video call, prompting them to execute malicious scripts under the guise of technical support fixes for connection problems.
In March, researchers with GTIG and iVerify reported the discovery of an in-the-wild exploit chain targeting both iOS and macOS devices. The exploit kit was apparently marketed on the dark web, providing threat actors with a suite of spyware capabilities alongside specialized cryptocurrency exfiltration modules. The exploit was delivered via drive-by downloads when victims visited various compromised websites. Our analysis confirmed that the toolkit included an updated version of a component previously identified in the Operation Triangulation attack chain.
Devices running macOS were similarly impacted by the high-profile supply chain attack targeting the Axios npm package, a widely used HTTP client for JavaScript. The installation of the infected package led to the deployment of a backdoor on macOS devices.
TOPΒ 20 threats to macOS
Unique users* who encountered this malware as a percentage of all attacked users of Kaspersky security solutions for macOS (download)
* Data for the previous quarter may differ slightly from previously published data due to some verdicts being retrospectively revised.
The share of PasivRobber spyware attacks is beginning to decline, giving way to more traditional adware and Monitor-class software capable of tracking user activity. The popular Amos stealer also maintains its presence within the TOPΒ 20.
Geography of threats to macOS
TOPΒ 10 countries and territories by share of attacked users
Country/territory
%* Q4Β 2025
%* Q1Β 2026
China
1.28
1.97
France
1.18
1.07
Brazil
1.13
0.98
Mexico
0.72
0.52
Germany
0.71
0.45
The Netherlands
0.62
0.75
Hong Kong
0.49
0.53
India
0.42
0.48
Russian Federation
0.34
0.37
Thailand
0.24
0.27
* Unique users who encountered threats to macOS as a percentage of all unique Kaspersky users in the country/territory.
IoT threat statistics
This section presents statistics on attacks targeting Kaspersky IoT honeypots. The geographic data on attack sources is based on the IP addresses of attacking devices.
In Q1Β 2026, the share of devices attacking Kaspersky honeypots via the SSH protocol saw a significant increase compared to the previous reporting period.
Distribution of attacked services by number of unique IP addresses of attacking devices (download)
The distribution of attacks between Telnet and SSH maintained the ratio observed in Q4Β 2025.
Distribution of attackersβ sessions in Kaspersky honeypots (download)
TOPΒ 10 threats delivered to IoT devices
Share of each threat delivered to an infected device as a result of a successful attack, out of the total number of threats delivered (download)
The primary shifts in the IoT threat distribution are linked to the activity of various Mirai botnet variants, although members of this family continue to account for the majority of the list. Furthermore, a new variant, Mirai.kl, surfaced in the rankings. We also observed a significant decline in NyaDrop botnet activity during Q1.
Attacks on IoT honeypots
The United States, the Netherlands, and Germany accounted for the highest proportions of SSH-based attacks during this period.
Country/territory
Q4Β 2025
Q1Β 2026
United States
16.10%
23.74%
The Netherlands
15.78%
17.57%
Germany
12.07%
10.34%
Panama
7.72%
6.34%
India
5.32%
6.05%
Romania
4.05%
5.82%
Australia
1.62%
4.61%
Vietnam
4.21%
3.50%
Russian Federation
3.79%
2.35%
Sweden
2.25%
2.09%
China continues to account for the largest proportion of Telnet attacks, though there was a marked increase in activity originating from Pakistan.
Country/territory
Q4Β 2025
Q1Β 2026
China
53.64%
39.54%
Pakistan
14.27%
27.31%
Russian Federation
8.20%
8.25%
Indonesia
8.58%
6.71%
India
4.85%
4.66%
Brazil
0.06%
3.30%
Argentina
0.02%
2.51%
Nigeria
1.22%
1.38%
Thailand
0.01%
0.55%
Sweden
0.54%
0.55%
Attacks via web resources
The statistics in this section are based on detection verdicts by Web Anti-Virus, which protects users when suspicious objects are downloaded from malicious or infected web pages. These malicious pages are purposefully created by cybercriminals. Websites that host user-generated content, such as message boards, as well as compromised legitimate sites, can become infected.
TOP 10 countries and territories that served as sources of web-based attacks
The following statistics show the distribution by country/territory of the sources of internet attacks blocked by Kaspersky products on user computers (web pages redirecting to exploits, sites containing exploits and other malicious programs, botnet C&C centers, and so on). One or more web-based attacks could originate from each unique host.
To determine the geographic source of web attacks, we matched the domain name with the real IP address where the domain is hosted, then identified the geographic location of that IP address (GeoIP).
In Q1Β 2026, Kaspersky solutions blocked 343,823,407 attacks launched from internet resources worldwide. Web Anti-Virus was triggered by 49,983,611 unique URLs.
Web-based attacks by country/territory, Q1 2026 (download)
Countries and territories where users faced the greatest risk of online infection
To assess the risk of malware infection via the internet for usersβ computers in different countries and territories, we calculated the share of Kaspersky users in each location on whose computers Web Anti-Virus was triggered during the reporting period. The resulting data provides an indication of the aggressiveness of the environment in which computers operate in different countries and territories.
This ranked list includes only attacks by malicious objects classified as Malware. Our calculations leave out Web Anti-Virus detections of potentially dangerous or unwanted programs, such as RiskTool or adware.
Country/territory*
%**
1
Venezuela
9.33
2
Hungary
8.16
3
Italy
7.58
4
Tajikistan
7.48
5
India
7.21
6
Greece
7.13
7
Portugal
7.10
8
France
7.05
9
Belgium
6.83
10
Slovakia
6.80
11
Vietnam
6.62
12
Bosnia and Herzegovina
6.57
13
Canada
6.56
14
Serbia
6.50
15
Tunisia
6.36
16
Qatar
6.01
17
Spain
5.95
18
Germany
5.95
19
Sri Lanka
5.89
20
Brazil
5.88
* Excluded are countries and territories with relatively few (under 10,000) Kaspersky users.
** Unique users targeted by web-based Malware attacks as a percentage of all unique users of Kaspersky products in the country/territory.
On average during the quarter, 4.73% of usersβ computers worldwide were subjected to at least one Malware web attack.
Local threats
Statistics on local infections of user computers are an important indicator. They include objects that penetrated the target computer by infecting files or removable media, or initially made their way onto the computer in non-open form. Examples of the latter are programs in complex installers and encrypted files.
Data in this section is based on analyzing statistics produced by anti-virus scans of files on the hard drive at the moment they were created or accessed, and the results of scanning removable storage media. The statistics are based on detection verdicts from the On-Access Scan (OAS) and On-Demand Scan (ODS) modules of File Anti-Virus and include detections of malicious programs located on user computers or removable media connected to the computers, such as flash drives, camera memory cards, phones, or external hard drives.
In Q1Β 2026, our File Anti-Virus detected 15,831,319 malicious and potentially unwanted objects.
Countries and territories where users faced the highest risk of local infection
For each country and territory, we calculated the percentage of Kaspersky users whose computers had the File Anti-Virus triggered at least once during the reporting period. This statistic reflects the level of personal computer infection in different countries and territories around the world.
Note that this ranked list includes only attacks by malicious objects classified as Malware. Our calculations leave out File Anti-Virus detections of potentially dangerous or unwanted programs, such as RiskTool or adware.
Country/territory*
%**
1
Turkmenistan
47.96
2
Tajikistan
31.48
3
Cuba
31.03
4
Yemen
29.59
5
Afghanistan
28.47
6
Burundi
26.93
7
Uzbekistan
24.81
8
Syria
23.08
9
Nicaragua
21.97
10
Cameroon
21.60
11
China
21.09
12
Mozambique
21.02
13
Algeria
20.64
14
Democratic Republic of the Congo
20.63
15
Bangladesh
20.44
16
Mali
20.35
17
Republic of the Congo
20.23
18
Madagascar
20.00
19
Belarus
19.78
20
Tanzania
19.52
* Excluded are countries and territories with relatively few (under 10,000) Kaspersky users.
** Unique users on whose computers local Malware threats were blocked, as a percentage of all unique users of Kaspersky products in the country/territory.
On average worldwide, Malware local threats were detected at least once on 11.55% of usersβ computers during Q1.
In April 2025, we reported on a then-new iteration of the Triada backdoor that had compromised the firmware of counterfeit Android devices sold across major marketplaces. The malware was deployed to the system partitions and hooked into Zygote β the parent process for all Android apps β to infect any app on the device. This allowed the Trojan to exfiltrate credentials from messaging apps and social media platforms, among other things.
This discovery prompted us to dive deeper, looking for other Android firmware-level threats. Our investigation uncovered a new backdoor, dubbed Keenadu, which mirrored Triadaβs behavior by embedding itself into the firmware to compromise every app launched on the device. Keenadu proved to have a significant footprint; following its initial detection, we saw a surge in support requests from our users seeking further information about the threat. This report aims to address most of the questions and provide details on this new threat.
Our findings can be summarized as follows:
We discovered a new backdoor, which we dubbed Keenadu, in the firmware of devices belonging to several brands. The infection occurred during the firmware build phase, where a malicious static library was linked with libandroid_runtime.so. Once active on the device, the malware injected itself into the Zygote process, similarly to Triada. In several instances, the compromised firmware was delivered with an OTA update.
A copy of the backdoor is loaded into the address space of every app upon launch. The malware is a multi-stage loader granting its operators the unrestricted ability to control the victimβs device remotely.
We successfully intercepted the payloads retrieved by Keenadu. Depending on the targeted app, these modules hijack the search engine in the browser, monetize new app installs, and stealthily interact with ad elements.
One specific payload identified during our research was also found embedded in numerous standalone apps distributed via third-party repositories, as well as official storefronts like Google Play and Xiaomi GetApps.
In certain firmware builds, Keenadu was integrated directly into critical system utilities, including the facial recognition service, the launcher app, and others.
Our investigation established a link between some of the most prolific Android botnets: Triada, BADBOX, Vo1d, and Keenadu.
The complete Keenadu infection chain looks like this:
Full infection diagram
Kaspersky solutions detect the threats described below with the following verdicts:
At the very beginning of the investigation, our attention was drawn to suspicious libraries located at /system/lib/libandroid_runtime.so and /system/lib64/libandroid_runtime.so β we will use the shorthand /system/lib[64]/ to denote these two directories. The library exists in the original Android source. Specifically, it defines the println_native native method for the android.util.Log class. Apps utilize this method to write to the logcat system log. In the suspicious libraries, the implementation of println_native differed from the legitimate version by the call of a single function:
Call to the suspicious function
The suspicious function decrypted data from the library body using RC4 and wrote it to /data/dalvik-cache/arm[64]/system@framework@vndx_10x.jar@classes.jar. The data represents a payload that is loaded via DexClassLoader. The entry point within it is the main method of the com.ak.test.Main class, where βakβ likely refers to the authorβs internal name for the malware; this letter combination is also used in other locations throughout the code. In particular, the developers left behind a significant amount of code that writes error messages to the logcat log during the malwareβs execution. These messages have the AK_CPP tag.
Payload decryption
The payload checks whether it is running within system apps belonging either to Google services or to Sprint or T-Mobile carriers. The latter apps are typically found in specialized device versions that carriers sell at a discount, provided the buyer signs a service contract. The malware aborts its execution if it finds that itβs running within these processes. It also implements a kill switch that terminates its execution if it finds files with specific names in system directories.
Next, the Trojan checks if it is running within the system_server process. This process controls the entire system and possesses maximum privileges; it is launched by the Zygote process when it starts. If the check returns positive, the Trojan creates an instance of the AKServer class; if the code is running in any other process, it creates an instance of the AKClient class instead. It then calls the new objectβs virtual method, passing the app process name to it. The class names suggest that the Trojan is built upon a client-server architecture.
Launching system_server in Zygote
The system_server process creates and launches various system services with the help of the SystemServiceManager class. These services are based on a client-server architecture, and clients for them are requested within app code by calling the Context.getSystemService method. Communication with the server-side component uses the Android inter-process communication (IPC) primitive, binder. This approach offers numerous security and other benefits. These include, among other things, the ability to restrict certain apps from accessing various system services and their functionality, as well as the presence of abstractions that simplify the use of this access for developers while simultaneously protecting the system from potential vulnerabilities in apps.
The authors of Keenadu designed it in a similar fashion. The core logic is located in the AKServer class, which operates within the system_server process. AKServer essentially represents a malicious system service, while AKClient acts as the interface for accessing AKServer via binder. For convenience, we provide a diagram of the backdoorβs architecture below:
Keenadu backdoor execution flow
It is important to highlight Keenadu as yet another case where we find key Android security principles being compromised. First, because the malware is embedded in libandroid_runtime.so, it operates within the context of every app on the device, thereby gaining access to all their data and rendering the systemβs intended app sandboxing meaningless. Second, it provides interfaces for bypassing permissions (discussed below) that are used to control app privileges within the system. Consequently, it represents a full-fledged backdoor that allows attackers to gain virtually unrestricted control over the victimβs device.
AKClient architecture
AKClient is relatively straightforward in its design. It is injected into every app launched on the device and retrieves an interface instance for server communication via a protected broadcast (com.action.SystemOptimizeService). Using binder, this interface sends an attach transaction to the malicious AKServer, passing an IPC wrapper that facilitates the loading of arbitrary DEX files within the context of the compromised app. This allows AKServer to execute custom malicious payloads tailored to the specific app it has targeted.
AKServer architecture
At the start of its execution, AKServer sends two protected broadcasts: com.action.SystemOptimizeService and com.action.SystemProtectService. As previously described, the first broadcast delivers an interface instance to other AKClient-infected processes for interacting with AKServer. Along with the com.action.SystemProtectService message, an instance of another interface for interacting with AKServer is transmitted. Malicious modules downloaded within the contexts of other apps can use this interface to:
Grant any permission to an arbitrary app on the device.
Revoke any permission from an arbitrary app on the device.
Retrieve the deviceβs geolocation.
Exfiltrate device information.
Malicious interface for permission management and device data collection
Once interaction between the server and client components is established, AKServer launches its primary malicious task, titled MainWorker. Upon its initial launch, MainWorker logs the current system time. Following this, the malware checks the deviceβs language settings and time zone. If the interface language is a Chinese dialect and the device is located within a Chinese time zone, the malware terminates. It also remains inactive if either the Google Play Store or Google Play Services are absent from the device. If the device passes these checks, the Trojan initiates the PluginTask task. At the start of its routine, PluginTask decrypts the command-and-control server addresses from the code as follows:
The encrypted address string is decoded using Base64.
The resulting data, a gzip-compressed buffer, is then decompressed.
The decompressed data is decrypted using AES-128 in CFB mode. The decryption key is the MD5 hash of the string "ota.host.ba60d29da7fd4794b5c5f732916f7d5c", and the initialization vector is the string "0102030405060708".
After decrypting the C2 server addresses, the Trojan collects victim device metadata, such as the model, IMEI, MAC address, and OS version, and encrypts it using the same method as the server addresses, but this time it utilizes the MD5 hash of the string "ota.api.bbf6e0a947a5f41d7f5226affcfd858c" as the AES key. The encrypted data is sent to the C2 server via a POST request to the path /ak/api/pts/v4. The request parameters include two values:
m: the MD5 hash of the device IMEI
n: the network connection type (βwβ for Wi-Fi, and βmβ for mobile data)
The response from the C2 server contains a code field, which may hold an error code returned by the server. If this field has a zero value, no error has occurred. In this case, the response will include a data field: a JSON object encrypted in the same manner as the request data and containing information about the payloads.
How Keenadu compromised libandroid_runtime.so
After analyzing the initial infection stages, we set out to determine exactly how the backdoor was being integrated into Android device firmware. Almost immediately, we discovered public reports from Alldocube tablet users regarding suspicious DNS queries originating from their devices. This vendor had previously acknowledged the presence of malware in one of its tablet models. However, the companyβs statement contained no specifics regarding which malware had compromised the devices or how the breach occurred. We will attempt to answer these questions.
User complaints regarding suspicious DNS queries
The DNS queries described by the original complainant also appeared suspicious to us. According to our telemetry, the Keenadu C2 domains obtained at that time resolved to the IP addresses listed below:
67.198.232[.]4
67.198.232[.]187
The domains keepgo123[.]com and gsonx[.]com mentioned in the complaint resolved to these same addresses, which may indicate that the complainantβs tablet was also infected with Keenadu. However, matching IP addresses alone is insufficient for a definitive attribution. To test this hypothesis, it was necessary to examine the device itself. We considered purchasing the same tablet model, but this proved unnecessary: as it turns out, Alldocube publishes firmware archives for its devices publicly, allowing anyone to audit them for malware.
To analyze the firmware, one must first determine the storage format of its contents. Alldocube firmware packages are RAR archives containing various image files, other types of files, and a Windows-based flashing utility. From an analytical standpoint, the Android file system holds the most value. Its primary partitions, including the system partition, are contained within the image file super.img. This is an Android Sparse Image. For the sake of brevity, we will omit a technical breakdown of this format (which can be reconstructed from the libsparsecode); it is sufficient to note that there are open-source utilities to extract partitions from these files in the form of standard file system images.
We extracted libandroid_runtime.so from the Alldocube iPlay 50 mini Pro (T811M) firmware dated August 18, 2023. Upon examining the library, we discovered the Keenadu backdoor. Furthermore, we decrypted the payload and extracted C2 server addresses hosted on the keepgo123[.]com and gsonx[.]com domains, confirming the userβs suspicions: their devices were indeed infected with this backdoor. Notably, all subsequent firmware versions for this model also proved to be infected, including those released after the vendorβs public statement.
Special attention should be paid to the firmware for the Alldocube iPlay 50 mini Pro NFE model. The βNFEβ (Netflix Enabled) part of the name indicates that these devices include an additional DRM module to support high-quality streaming. To achieve this, they must meet the Widevine L1 standard under the Google Widevine DRM premium media protection system. Consequently, they process media within a TEE (Trusted Execution Environment), which mitigates the risk of untrusted code accessing content and thus prevents unauthorized media copying. While Widevine certification failed to protect these devices from infection, the initial Alldocube iPlay 50 mini Pro NFE firmware (released November 7, 2023) was clean β unlike other modelsβ initial firmware. However, every subsequent version, including the latest release from May 20, 2024, contained Keenadu.
During our analysis of the Alldocube device firmware, we discovered that all images carried valid digital signatures. This implies that simply compromising an OTA update server would have been insufficient for an attacker to inject the backdoor into libandroid_runtime.so. They would also need to gain possession of the private signing keys, which normally should not be accessible from an OTA server. Consequently, it is highly probable that the Trojan was integrated into the firmware during the build phase.
Furthermore, we have found a static library, libVndxUtils.a (MD5:Β ca98ae7ab25ce144927a46b7fee6bd21), containing the Keenadu code, which further supports our hypothesis. This malicious library is written in C++ and was compiled using the CMake build system. Interestingly, the library retained absolute file paths to the source code on the developerβs machine:
D:\work\git\zh\os\ak-client\ak-client\loader\src\main\cpp\__log_native_load.cpp: this file contains the dropper code.
D:\work\git\zh\os\ak-client\ak-client\loader\src\main\cpp\__log_native_data.cpp: this file contains the RC4-encrypted payload along with its size metadata.
The dropperβs entry point is the function __log_check_tag_count. The attacker inserted a call to this function directly into the implementation of the println_native method.
Code snippet where the attacker inserted the malicious call
According to our data, the malicious dependency was located within the firmware source code repository at the following paths:
Interestingly, the Trojan within libandroid_runtime.so decrypts and writes the payload to disk at /data/dalvik-cache/arm[64]/system@framework@vndx_10x.jar@classes.jar. The attacker most likely attempted to disguise the malicious libandroid_runtime.so dependency as a supposedly legitimate βvndxβ component containing proprietary code from MediaTek. In reality, no such component exists in MediaTek products.
Finally, according to our telemetry, the Trojan is found not only in Alldocube devices but also in hardware from other manufacturers. In all instances, the backdoor is embedded within tablet firmware. We have notified these vendors about the compromise.
Based on the evidence presented above, we believe that Keenadu was integrated into Android device firmware as the result of a supply chain attack. One stage of the firmware supply chain was compromised, leading to the inclusion of a malicious dependency within the source code. Consequently, the vendors may have been unaware that their devices were infected prior to reaching the market.
Keenadu backdoor modules
As previously noted, the inherent architecture of Keenadu allows attackers to gain virtually unrestricted control over the victimβs device. To understand exactly how they leveraged this capability, we analyzed the payloads downloaded by the backdoor. To achieve this, we crafted a request to the C2 server, masquerading as an infected device. Initially, the C2 server did not deliver any files; instead, it returned a timestamp for the next check-in, scheduled 2.5 months after the initial request. Through black-box analysis of the C2 server, we determined that the request includes the backdoorβs activation time; if 2.5 months have not elapsed since that moment, the C2 will not serve any payloads. This is likely a technique designed to complicate analysis and minimize the probability of these payloads being detected. Once we modified the activation time in our request to a sufficiently distant date in the past, the C2 server returned the list of payloads for analysis.
The attackerβs server delivers information about the payloads as an object array. Each object contains a download link for the payload, its MD5 hash, target app package names, target process names, and other metadata. An example of such an object is provided below. Notably, the attackers chose Alibaba Cloud as their CDN provider.
Example of payload metadata
Files downloaded by Keenadu utilize a proprietary format to store the encrypted payload and its configuration. A pseudocode description of this format is presented below (struct KeenaduPayload):
After downloading, Keenadu verifies the file integrity using MD5. The Trojanβs creators also implemented a code-signing mechanism using the DSA algorithm. The signature is verified before the payload is decrypted and executed. This ensures that only an attacker in possession of the private key can generate malicious payloads. Upon successful verification, the configuration and the malicious module are decrypted using AES-128 in CFB mode. The decryption key is the MD5 hash of the string that is a concatenation of "37d9a33df833c0d6f11f1b8079aaa2dc" and a salt, while the initialization vector is the string "0102030405060708".
The configuration contains information regarding the moduleβs entry and exit points, its name, and its version. An example configuration for one of the modules is provided below.
Having outlined the backdoorβs algorithm for loading malicious modules, we will now proceed to their analysis.
Keenadu loader
This module (MD5:Β 4c4ca7a2a25dbe15a4a39c11cfef2fb2) targets popular online storefronts with the following package names:
com.amazon.mShop.android.shopping (Amazon)
com.zzkko (SHEIN)
com.einnovation.temu (Temu)
The entry point is the start method of the com.ak.p.d.MainApi class. This class initiates a malicious task named HsTask, which serves as a loader conceptually similar to AKServer. Upon execution, the loader collects victim device metadata (model, IMEI, MAC address, OS version, and so on) as well as information regarding the specific app within which it is running. The collected data is encoded using the same method as the AKServerrequests sent to /ak/api/pts/v4. Once encoded, the loader exfiltrates the data via a POST request to the C2 server at /ota/api/tasks/v3.
Data collection via the plugin
In response, the attackersβ server returns a list of modules for download and execution, as well as a list of APK files to install on the victimβs device. Interestingly, in newer Android versions, the delivery of these APKs is implemented via installation sessions. This is likely an attempt by the malware to bypass restrictions introduced in recent OS versions, which prevent sideloaded apps from accessing sensitive permissions β specifically accessibility services.
Use of an installation session
Unfortunately, during our research, we were unable to obtain samples of the specific modules and APK files downloaded by this loader. However, users online have reported that infected tablets were adding items to marketplace shopping carts without the userβs knowledge.
User complaint on Reddit
Clicker loader
These modules (such as ad60f46e724d88af6bcacb8c269ac3c1) are injected into the following apps:
Wallpaper (com.android.wallpaper)
YouTube (com.google.android.youtube)
Facebook (com.facebook.katana)
Digital Wellbeing (com.google.android.apps.wellbeing)
System launcher (com.android.launcher3)
Upon execution, the malicious module retrieves the deviceβs location and IP address using a GeoIP service deployed on the attackersβ C2 server. This data, along with the network connection type and OS version, is exfiltrated to the C2. In response, the server returns a specially formatted file containing an encrypted JSON object with payload information, as well as a XOR key for decryption. The structure of this file is described below using pseudocode:
The decrypted JSON consists of an array of objects containing download links for the payloads and their respective entry points. An example of such an object is provided below. The payloads themselves are encrypted using the same logic as the JSON.
Example of payload metadata
In the course of our research, we obtained several payloads whose primary objective was to interact with advertising elements on various themed websites: gaming, recipes, and news. Each specific module interacts with one particular website whose address is hardcoded into its source.
Google Chrome module
This module (MD5: 912bc4f756f18049b241934f62bfb06c) targets the Google Chrome browser (com.android.chrome). At the start of its execution, it registers an Activity Lifecycle Callback handler. Whenever an activity is launched within the target app, this handler checks its name. If the name matches the string "ChromeTabbedActivity", the Trojan searches for a text input field (used for search queries and URLs) named url_bar.
Searching for the url_bar text element
If the element is found, the malware monitors text changes within it. All search queries entered by the user into the url_bar field are exfiltrated to the attackersβ server. Furthermore, once the user finishes typing a query, the Trojan can hijack the search request and redirect it to a different search engine, depending on the configuration received from the C2 server.
Search engine hijacking
It is worth noting that the hijacking attempt may fail if the user selects a query from the autocomplete suggestions; in this scenario, the user does not hit Enter or tap the search button in the url_bar, which would signal the malware to trigger the redirect. However, the attackers anticipated this too. The Trojan attempts to locate the omnibox_suggestions_dropdown element within the current activity, a ViewGroup containing the search suggestions. The malware monitors taps on these suggestions and proceeds to redirect the search engine regardless.
Search engine hijacking upon selecting a browser-suggested option
The Nova (Phantom) clicker
The initial version of this module (MD5:Β f0184f6955479d631ea4b1ea0f38a35d) was a clicker embedded within the system wallpaper picker (com.android.wallpaper). Researchers at Dr. Web discovered it concurrently with our investigation; however, their report did not mention the clickerβs distribution vector via the Keenadu backdoor. The module utilizes machine learning and WebRTC to interact with advertising elements. While our colleagues at Dr. Web named it Phantom, the C2 server refers to it as Nova. Furthermore, the task executed within the code is named NovaTask. Based on this, we believe the original name of the clicker is Nova.
Nova as the plugin name
It is also worth noting that shortly after the publication of the report on this clicker, the Keenadu C2 server began deleting it from infected devices. This is likely a strategic move by the attackers to evade further detection.
Request to unload the Nova module
Interestingly, in the unload request, the Nova module appeared under a slightly different name. We believe this new name disguises the latest version of the module, which functions as a loader capable of downloading the following components:
The Nova clicker.
A Spyware module which exfiltrates various types of victim device information to the attackersβ server.
The Gegu SDK dropper. According to our data, this is a multi-stage dropper that launches two additional clickers.
Install monetization
A module with the MD5 hash 3dae1f297098fa9d9d4ee0335f0aeed3 is embedded into the system launcher (com.android.launcher3). Upon initialization, it runs an environment check for virtual machine artifacts. If none are detected, the malware registers an event handler for session-based app installations.
Handler registration
Simultaneously, the module requests a configuration file from the C2 server. An example of this configuration is provided below.
Example of a monetization module configuration
When an app installation is initiated on the device, the Trojan transmits data on this app to the C2 server. In response, the server provides information regarding the specific ad used to promote it.
App ad source information
For every successfully completed installation session, the Trojan executes GET requests to the URL provided in the tracking_link field in the response, as well as the first link within the click array. Based on the source code, the links in the click array serve as templates into which various advertising identifiers are injected. The attackers most likely use this method to monetize app installations. By simulating traffic from the victimβs device, the Trojan deceives advertising platforms into believing that the app was installed from a legitimate ad tap.
Google Play module
Even though AKClient shuts down if it is injected into Google Play process, the C2 server have provided us with a payload for it. This module (MD5: 529632abf8246dfe555153de6ae2a9df) retrieves the Google Ads advertising ID and stores it via a global instance of the Settings class under the key S_GA_ID3. Subsequently, other modules may utilize this value as a victim identifier.
Retrieving the advertising ID
Other Keenadu distribution vectors
During our investigation, we decided to look for alternative sources of Keenadu infections. We discovered that several of the modules described above appeared in attacks that were not linked to the compromise of libandroid_runtime.so. Below are the details of these alternative vectors.
System apps
According to our telemetry, the Keenadu loader was found within various system apps in the firmware of several devices. One such app (MD5:Β d840a70f2610b78493c41b1a344b6893) was a face recognition service with the package name com.aiworks.faceidservice. It contains a set of trained machine-learning models used for facial recognition β specifically for authorizing users via Face ID. To facilitate this, the app defines a service named com.aiworks.lock.face.service.FaceLockService, which the system UI (com.android.systemui) utilizes to unlock the device.
Using the face recognition service in the System UI
Within the onCreate method of the com.aiworks.lock.face.service.FaceLockService, triggered upon that serviceβs creation, three receivers are registered. These receivers monitor screen on/off events, the start of charging, and the availability of network access. Each of these receivers calls the startMars method whose primary purpose is to initialize the malicious loader by calling the init method of the com.hs.client.TEUtils class.
Malicious call
The loader is a slightly modified version of the Keenadu loader. This specific variant utilizes a native library libhshelper.so to load modules and facilitate APK installs. To accomplish this, the library defines corresponding native methods within the com.hs.helper.NativeMain class.
Native methods defined by the library
This specific attack vector β embedding a loader within system apps β is not inherently new. We have previously documented similar cases, such as the Dwphon loader, which was integrated into system apps responsible for OTA updates. However, this marks the first time we have encountered a Trojan embedded within a facial recognition service.
In addition to the face recognition service, we identified other system apps infected with the Keenadu loader. These included the launcher app on certain devices (MD5:Β 382764921919868d810a5cf0391ea193). A malicious service, com.pri.appcenter.service.RemoteService, was embedded into these apps to trigger the Trojanβs execution.
We also discovered the Keenadu loader within the app with package name com.tct.contentcenter (MD5:Β d07eb2db2621c425bda0f046b736e372). This app contains the advertising SDK fwtec, which retrieved its configuration via an HTTP GET request to hxxps://trends.search-hub[.]cn/vuGs8 with default redirection disabled. In response, the Trojan expected a 302 redirect code where the Location header provided an URL containing the SDK configuration within its parameters. One specific parameter, hsby_search_switch, controlled the activation of the Keenadu loader: if its value was set to 1, the loader would initialize within the app.
Retrieving the configuration from the C2
Loading via other backdoors
While analyzing our telemetry, we discovered an unusual version of the Keenadu loader (MD5:Β f53c6ee141df2083e0200a514ba19e32) located in the directories of various apps within external storage, specifically at paths following the pattern: /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/%PACKAGE%/files/.dx/. Based on the code analysis, this loader was designed to operate within a system where the system_server process had already been compromised. Notably, the binder interface names used in this version differed from those used by AKServer. The loader utilized the following interfaces:
com.androidextlib.sloth.api.IPServiceM
com.androidextlib.sloth.api.IPermissionsM
These same binder interfaces are defined by another backdoor that is structured similarly and was also discovered within libandroid_runtime.so. The execution of this other backdoor on infected devices proceeds as follows: libandroid_runtime.so imports a malicious function __android_log_check_loggable from the liblog.so library (MD5:Β 3d185f30b00270e7e30fc4e29a68237f). This function is called within the implementation of the println_native native method of the android.util.Log class. It decrypts a payload embedded in the libraryβs body using a single-byte XOR and executes it within the context of all apps on the device.
Payload decryption
The payload shares many similarities with BADBOX, a comprehensive malware platform first described by researchers at HUMAN Security. Specifically, the C2 server paths used for the Trojanβs HTTP requests are a match. This leads us to believe that this is a specific variant of BADBOX.
The path /terminal/client/register was previously documented in a HUMAN Security report
Within this backdoor, we also discovered the binder interfaces utilized by the aforementioned Keenadu loader. This suggests that those specific instances of Keenadu were deployed directly by BADBOX.
One of the binder interfaces used by Keenadu is defined in the payload
Modifications of popular apps
Unfortunately, even if your firmware does not contain Keenadu or another pre-installed backdoor, the Trojan still poses a threat to you. The Nova (Phantom) clicker was discovered by researchers at Dr. Web around the same time as we held our investigation. Their findings highlight a different distribution vector: modified versions of popular software distributed primarily through unofficial sources, as well as various apps found in the GetApps store.
Google Play
Infected apps have managed to infiltrate Google Play too. During our research, we identified trojanized software for smart cameras published on the official Android app store. Collectively, these apps had been downloaded more than 300,000 times.
Examples of infected apps in Google Play
Each of these apps contained an embedded service named com.arcsoft.closeli.service.KucopdInitService, which launched the aforementioned Nova clicker. We alerted Google to the presence of the infected apps in its store, and they removed the malware. Curiously, while the malicious service was present in all identified apps, it was configured to execute only in one specific package: com.taismart.global.
The malicious service was launched only under specific conditions
The Fantastic Four: how Triada, BADBOX, Vo1d, and Keenadu are connected
After discovering that BADBOX downloads one of the Keenadu modules, we decided to conduct further research to determine if there were any other signs of a connection between these Trojans. As a result, we found that BADBOX and Keenadu shared similarities in the payload code that was decrypted and executed by the malicious code in libandroid_runtime.so. We also identified similarities between the Keenadu loader and the BB2DOOR module of the BADBOX Trojan. Given that there are also distinct differences in the code, and considering that BADBOX was downloading the Keenadu loader, we believe these are separate botnets, and the developers of Keenadu likely found inspiration in the BADBOX source code. Furthermore, the authors of Keenadu appear to target Android tablets primarily.
In our recent report on the Triada backdoor, we mentioned that the C2 server for one of its downloaded modules was hosted on the same domain as one of the Vo1d botnetβs servers, which could suggest a link between those two Trojans. However, during the current investigation, we managed to uncover a connection between Triada and the BADBOX botnet as well. As it turns out, the directories where BADBOX downloaded the Keenadu loader also contained other payloads for various apps. Their description warrants a separate report; for the sake of brevity, we will not delve into the details here, limiting ourselves to the analysis of a payload for the Telegram and Instagram clients (MD5:Β 8900f5737e92a69712481d7a809fcfaa). The entry point for this payload is the com.extlib.apps.InsTGEnter class. The payload is designed to steal victimsβ account credentials in the infected services. Interestingly, it also contains code for stealing credentials from the WhatsApp client, though it is currently not utilized.
BADBOX payload code used for stealing credentials from WhatsApp clients
The C2 server addresses used by the Trojan to exfiltrate device data are stored in the code in an encrypted format. They are first decoded using Base64 and then decrypted via a XOR operation with the string "xiwljfowkgs".
Decrypted payload C2 addresses
After decrypting the C2 addresses, we discovered the domain zcnewy[.]com, which we had previously identified in 2022 during our investigation of malicious WhatsApp mods containing Triada. At that time, we assumed that the code segment responsible for stealing WhatsApp credentials and the malicious dropper both belonged to Triada. However, since we have now established that zcnewy[.]com is linked to BADBOX, we believe that the infected WhatsApp modifications we described in 2022 actually contained two distinct Trojans: Triada and BADBOX. To verify this hypothesis, we re-examined one of those modifications (MD5:Β caa640824b0e216fab86402b14447953) and confirmed that it contained the code for both the Triada dropper and a BADBOX module functionally similar to the one described above. Although the Trojans were launched from the same entry point, they did not interact with each other and were structured in entirely different ways. Based on this, we conclude that what we observed in 2022 was a joint attack by the BADBOX and Triada operators.
BADBOX and Triada launched from the same entry point
These findings show that several of the largest Android botnets are interacting with one another. Currently, we have confirmed links between Triada, Vo1d, and BADBOX, as well as the connection between Keenadu and BADBOX. Researchers at HUMAN Security have also previously reported a connection between Vo1d and BADBOX. It is important to emphasize that these connections are not necessarily transitive. For example, the fact that both Triada and Keenadu are linked to BADBOX does not automatically imply that Triada and Keenadu are directly connected; such a claim would require separate evidence. However, given the current landscape, we would not be surprised if future reports provide the evidence needed to prove the transitivity of these relationships.
Victims
According to our telemetry, 13,715 users worldwide have encountered Keenadu or its modules. Our security solutions recorded the highest number of users attacked by the malware in Russia, Japan, Germany, Brazil and the Netherlands.
Recommendations
Our technical support team is often asked what steps should be taken if a security solution detects Keenadu on a device. In this section, we examine all possible scenarios for combating this Trojan.
If the libandroid_runtime.so library is infected
Modern versions of Android mount the system partition, which contains libandroid_runtime.so, as read-only. Even if one were to theoretically assume the possibility of editing this partition, the infected libandroid_runtime.so library cannot be removed without damaging the firmware: the device would simply cease to boot. Therefore, it is impossible to eliminate the threat using standard Android OS tools. Operating a device infected with the Keenadu backdoor can involve significant inconveniences. Reviews of infected devices complain about intrusive ads and various mysterious sounds whose source cannot be identified.
Review of an infected tablet complaining about noise
If you encounter the Keenadu backdoor, we recommend the following:
Check for software updates. It is possible that a clean firmware version has already been released for your device. After updating, use a reliable security solution to verify that the issue has been resolved.
If a clean firmware update from the manufacturer does not exist for your device, you can attempt to install a clean firmware yourself. However, it is important to remember that manually flashing a device can brick it.
Until the firmware is replaced or updated, we recommend that you stop using the infected device.
If one of the system apps is infected
Unfortunately, as in the previous case, it is not possible to remove such an app from the device because it is located in the system partition. If you encounter the Keenadu loader in a system app, our recommendations are:
Find a replacement for the app, if applicable. For example, if the launcher app is infected, you can download any alternative that does not contain malware. If no alternatives exist for the app β for example, if the face recognition service is infected β we recommend avoiding the use of that specific functionality whenever possible.
Disable the infected app using ADB if an alternative has been found or you donβt really need it. This can be done with the command adb shell pm disable --user 0 %PACKAGE%.
If an infected app has been installed on the device
This is one of the simplest cases of infection. If a security solution has detected an app infected with Keenadu on your device, simply uninstall it following the instructions the solution provides.
Conclusion
Developers of pre-installed backdoors in Android device firmware have always stood out for their high level of expertise. This is still true for Keenadu: the creators of the malware have a deep understanding of the Android architecture, the app startup process, and the core security principles of the operating system. During the investigation, we were surprised by the scope of the Keenadu campaigns: beyond the primary backdoor in firmware, its modules were found in system apps and even in apps from Google Play. This places the Trojan on the same scale as threats like Triada or BADBOX. The emergence of a new pre-installed backdoor of this magnitude indicates that this category of malware is a distinct market with significant competition.
Keenadu is a large-scale, complex malware platform that provides attackers with unrestricted control over the victimβs device. Although we have currently shown that the backdoor is used primarily for various types of ad fraud, we do not rule out that in the future, the malware may follow in Triadaβs footsteps and begin stealing credentials.
Qakbot Takedown: A Brief Victory in the Fight Against Resilient Malware
Prior botnet takedowns like Emotet and TrickBot have shown that sophisticated malware operations, like Qakbot, can often rebuild infrastructure and return from disruptions in new forms
Qakbot, familiarly Qbot, has been a major cyber threat since 2007, infecting victimsβ computers to steal financial information and distribute additional malware payloads like ransomware. As a result of the takedown, more than 700,000 infected devices worldwide were identified and cleaned of the malware. The DOJ also announced the seizure of $8.6M in cryptocurrency in illicit profits.
While there is no doubt that the Qakbot takedown is a major win in the fight against cybercrime, it may only provide short-term relief in the fight against a notoriously resilient cybercriminal ecosystem.
βSwiss Army knifeβ
A Swiss Army knife of cybercrime tools, Qakbot was a complex malware that opened remote access to victimsβ systems, stole credentials and financial information, and downloaded additional malware payloads. Its modular architecture enabled frequent updates to add new capabilities over its 15+ years of operation.
βThe collaborative endeavors of these authoritative bodies exemplify the power of a comprehensive, multi-agency approach, designed to maximize its impact..β
Ian Gray, VP Of Intelligence
Qakbot has been a versatile workhorse for cybercriminals. Its banking trojan functionality has been used to pilfer payment information and intercept financial transactions. As a loader, it distributed ransomware such as ProLock to extort victims.
Qakbot has also powered large-scale spam email campaigns and brute force attacks. Its worm-like spreading kept it entrenched in infected networks. By providing the backdoor access and distribution channel for other malware, Qakbot played a key supporting role in the cybercrime ecosystem. Botnets like Emotet and TrickBot operated similarly, loading additional threats onto compromised systems. These jack-of-all-trades botnets have proven lucrative for their criminal operators.
A history of temporary relief
Prior botnet takedowns like Emotet and TrickBot have shown that sophisticated malware operations can often rebuild infrastructure and return from disruptions in new forms.
In the case of Emotet, the botnet came back online in 2022 using new techniques after its infrastructure was dismantled in 2021. TrickBot also persisted despite takedown attempts and remains an active threat. This resiliency highlights the challenges law enforcement faces in permanently eliminating cyber threats.
While takedowns temporarily degrade capabilities, dedicated cybercriminal groups adapt to avoid further disruption. New malware families also inevitably emerge to fill the gaps left by larger takedowns. For example, BazarLoader and ZLoader rose to prominence as loader malware after the Emotet takedown.
Yet despite their disruptions, resilient botnets often return and new ones emerge. After prior actions against Emotet and TrickBot, the lingering demand in underground markets brought them back in adapted new forms. Bots remain attractive tools for cybercriminals thanks to their versatility, automation, and money generating potential.
While Qakbotβs infrastructure was disrupted, its operators may attempt to rebuild or evolve their techniques. Sustained pressure on botnet financial flows, developer communities, and other aspects of the cybercrime supply chain is needed to deter future attacks. For now, the coordinated Qakbot takedown bought time and degraded the capabilities of a dominant cybercrime player.
The fight against cybercrime must be persistent and comprehensive
The Qakbot takedown was effectively coordinated among global governments, including France, Germany, Latvia, Romania, the Netherlands, the UK, and the US, as well as the private sector. The collaborative endeavors of these authoritative bodies exemplify the power of a comprehensive, multi-agency approach, designed to maximize its impact.
Law enforcement and the private sector should to continue coordinating takedowns while also focusing on detecting new malware variants early, disrupting communication channels, and following the money trails of criminal enterprises.
Cyber hygiene and threat awareness across organizations must also improve to reduce vulnerability to malware infections, including loaders and trojans that distribute threats like Qakbot. Technical controls like endpoint detection, network monitoring, and patching are also key.
Ultimately, defeating cybercrime requires comprehensive strategy across law enforcement operations, cybersecurity practices, and international collaboration. The Qakbot takedown represents meaningful progress, but the world must remain vigilant against an adaptable threat landscape.
Get Flashpoint on your side
Flashpoint Ignite enables organizations to proactively identify and mitigate cyber and physical risk that could imperil people, places, and assets. To unlock the power of great threat intelligence, get started with aΒ free Flashpoint trial.