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Malicious actors are once again leveraging Meta’s advertising network to distribute harmful software. This time, the focus is on a type of Android spyware known as Brokewell, which is proliferating through a malvertising initiative on Facebook.
According to Bitdefender researchers, cyber thieves are promoting ads claiming to offer free access to TradingView Premium, a market analysis and investment application, specifically for Android users. Interacting with these deceptive ads, which imitate TradingView’s branding and occasionally display Labubus imagery, results in users unintentionally downloading and installing malware on their devices.
Understanding Brokewell’s Impact on Android Devices
The Bitdefender analysis reveals that this malvertising tactic lures users into engaging with seemingly legitimate Facebook advertisements for TradingView; however, the links lead to a replicated website that prompts the download of a harmful .apk file on the user’s device. The malicious application requests extensive accessibility permissions and displays a series of deceitful update messages, including one asking for the device’s lock screen PIN. After the necessary permissions are granted, the dropper erases itself to escape detection.
Once installed, the malware functions as sophisticated spyware and a remote access trojan (RAT) with a wide range of capabilities:
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Cryptocurrency theft
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Scraping and exporting two-factor authentication (2FA) codes from Google Authenticator
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Overlaying deceptive login screens to hijack accounts
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Monitoring activities, including keystroke logging and screen recording
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Intercepting SMS texts to obtain banking and 2FA codes
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Achieving remote access to the device
This particular threat primarily targets Android mobile users. In contrast, if a Windows or MacOS user clicks on a fraudulent TradingView advertisement, they will encounter harmless content rather than the malicious cloned site. Nevertheless, it’s crucial to recognize that cybercriminals have utilized Facebook advertisements to connect with individuals across multiple platforms, impersonating various investment and cryptocurrency applications, along with well-known finance figures.
Protecting Yourself from Malvertising
Exercise caution when encountering ads on platforms like Facebook and other social media outlets, as they are often channels for distributing malware and engaging in scams. Avoid clicking on ads, regardless of whether the brand is familiar—especially those advertising investment opportunities or deals that appear too good to be true. Remain vigilant for links that lead to misleading domains or disguised websites that compel downloads.
It’s advisable to only obtain applications from reliable sources such as the Google Play Store. Though harmful applications can sometimes bypass security measures, downloading from reputable sources is considerably safer than sideloading from unverified locations. Be skeptical of applications that request accessibility permissions or your lock screen PIN without a valid justification, and refrain from granting permissions for anything that is not essential to the app’s operation, even if it appears legitimate.
