Description

Researchers from CSIRT KNF found a novel attack approach in which threat actors leverage Android's WebAPK to trick users into installing malicious web applications on Android phones in order to steal sensitive personal information. The attack began with an SMS message encouraging victims to click on a link provided to update their mobile banking software. Users are driven to a website that uses WebAPK technology to install a malicious software on their smartphones that impersonates PKO Bank Polski, a global financial services corporation headquartered in Warsaw. According to the researchers, threat actors are exploiting WebAPK, which allows users to install progressive web apps (PWAs) on their home screen on Android devices without using the Google Play Store. Once the APK has been established, the browser secretly installs the app on the user's device, taking use of the confidence of signed APKs from trustworthy providers such as Play Services or Samsung, and this installation procedure does not necessitate deactivating security or resorting to sideloading the software. The phoney banking software ("org.chromium.webapk.a798467883c056fed_v2") then invites users to submit their passwords and two-factor authentication (2FA) tokens, allowing their information to be stolen.