Sunday, October 18, 2026

Cyberespionage campaign Spreading AnubisSpy to Spying Skype, WhatsApp, Facebook, and Twitter

Newly emerging malware that combined with several malicious apps called AnubisSpy linked to cyberespionage campaign to steal messages (SMS), photos, videos, contacts, email accounts, calendar events, and browser histories.

its sophisticated capabilities also performing to take screenshots and record audio, including calls which basically targets Middle Eastern countries.

This kind of spyware app Developers creating a website for promoting the spyware via social media to reach more number of peoples and trick them to install this Malicious spyware app.

Anubispy discovered as an (ANDROIDOS_ANUBISSPY) and all related malware payload consist of a package called watchdog.

Also Read: New “GnatSpy” Mobile virus Stealing data Such as Images, Text messages, Contacts, and Call History

How does AnubisSpy Malware Works

It can spy the victims mobile by installed apps on the victim’s device and it can spy even Skype, WhatsApp, Facebook, and Twitter, among others.

Once it collected the relevant data, it will encrypt the stolen information and send it across to attackers via command and control server.

AnubisSpy is capable of self-distractive to cover its tracks and it also used the command to delete the file on the device as well as install and uninstall Android Application Packages (APKs).

Structure of AnubisSpy’s modules

Well constructed AnubisSpy has several modules that separately having individual roles to perform many activities that have explained in above image.

cyberespionage campaign Sphinx related with AnubisSpy Malware using watering hole technique via social media sites to deliver its payloads.

It using some dupe recipients to  the legitimate application for clicking them and execute the payload. according to timestamp Sphinx activily evolving since 2011.

According to Trend Micro simple WHOIS query of AnubisSpy’s C&C server showed it abused a legitimate managed to host service provider and it using following steps to targeting victims to spreading this payload.

  • Shared C&C server, 86[.]105[.]18[.]107
  • Shared technique of decrypting JSON files, and similarity between the file structures of AnubisSpy and Sphinx’s malware
  • Similar targets (highly concentrated in Middle Eastern countries)

These were signed with the same fake Google certificates. We found two more apps created by the same developer, but they had no espionage-related codes. Trend Micro said.

Balaji
Balaji
BALAJI is an Ex-Security Researcher (Threat Research Labs) at Comodo Cybersecurity. Editor-in-Chief & Co-Founder - Cyber Security News & GBHackers On Security.

Hot this week

How To Access Dark Web Anonymously and know its Secretive and Mysterious Activities

What is Deep Web The deep web, invisible web, or...

How to Build and Run a Security Operations Center (SOC Guide) – 2023

Today’s Cyber security operations center (CSOC) should have everything...

Russian Hackers Bypass EDR to Deliver a Weaponized TeamViewer Component

TeamViewer's popularity and remote access capabilities make it an...

Web Server Penetration Testing Checklist – 2026

Web server pentesting is performed under three significant categories: identity,...

ATM Penetration Testing – Advanced Testing Methods to Find The Vulnerabilities

ATM Penetration testing, Hackers have found different approaches to...

Hackers Use ConnectWise SkyKick Credentials to Access Microsoft 365, Halting Cloud Backups

Attackers abused compromised ConnectWise Cloud Backup credentials to access...

Anthropic’s Claude AI Uncovers Origins of NSA-Provided Cryptographic Keys After 25 Years

Anthropic says an internal Claude research model reconstructed how...

OpenBSD Kernel Flaw Dating Back 37 Years Enables Local Privilege Escalation to Root

A newly disclosed OpenBSD kernel exploitation chain combines a...

GhostAction Hackers Hide Credential-Stealing Malware in Fake Font Files Across 94 GitHub Repositories

GhostAction attackers have expanded their GitHub credential theft campaign...

SideCopy Hackers Target Indian Organizations With ReverseRAT Malware to Steal Data

Indian authorities have warned that SideCopy hackers are targeting...

New GhostBat Android Malware Targets 60 Banking and UPI Apps to Steal PINs

A new GhostBat RAT variant targets 60 Android financial...

New ROMULUS Malware Platform Uses Six Servers to Deliver Multiple Malicious Payloads

ROMULUS, a shared ClickFix delivery platform operating across six...

Related Articles

Recent News