Android.Counterclank Found in Official Android Market

Symantec has identified multiple publisher IDs on the Android Market that are being used to push out Android.Counterclank. This is a minor modification of Android.Tonclank, a bot-like threat that can receive commands to carry out certain actions, as well as steal information from the device.

For each of these malicious applications, the malicious code has been grafted on to the main application in a package called “apperhand”. When the package is executed, a service with the same name may be seen running on a compromised device. Another sign of an infection is the presence of the Search icon above on the home screen.

The combined download figures of all the malicious apps indicate that Android.Counterclank has the highest distribution of any malware identified so far this year.

Publisher Malicious App Title Category
iApps7 Inc Counter Elite Force Arcade & Action
iApps7 Inc Counter Strike Ground Force Arcade & Action
iApps7 Inc CounterStrike Hit Enemy Arcade & Action
iApps7 Inc Heart Live Wallpaper Entertainment
iApps7 Inc Hit Counter Terrorist Arcade & Action
iApps7 Inc Stripper Touch girl Entertainment
Ogre Games Balloon Game Sports Games
Ogre Games Deal & Be Millionaire Sports Games
Ogre Games Wild Man Arcade & Action
redmicapps Pretty women lingerie puzzle Photography
redmicapps Sexy Girls Photo Game Lifestyle
redmicapps Sexy Girls Puzzle Brain & Puzzle
redmicapps Sexy Women Puzzle Brain & Puzzle
Symantec is continuing with further investigation and we will post more information as we discover it.