MetaMask – First Copy-and-Paste Hijacking Crypto Malware Found in Google Play

The clipper hijacking malware use to intercept the contents of the clipboard and replaces it with the content the attackers want to have.

Generally, the cryptocurrency wallets contain a long string of characters for security reasons, users use to copy and paste the strings instead of typing it.

Security researchers from ESET discovered the Android Clipper malware on the on official google play store in February 2019. “This dangerous form of malware first made its rounds in 2017 on the Windows platform and was spotted in third-party Android app stores in the summer of 2018.”

Clipper Hijacking Malware – Google Play

The clipper malware in Google Play impersonates as the metamask service that allows you to run the Ethereum dApps right in your browser without running a full Ethereum node.

Currently, the metamask does not offer a mobile app, the attackers use it as an advantage to introduce a shady app. Metamask only offers add-ons for desktop browsers such as Chrome and Firefox.

The main purpose of the app is to steal the victim’s credentials and private keys to gain control over the victim’s Ethereum funds.

It also replaces the copied wallet address of Bitcoin or Ethereum and replaces it with the attacker’s address. So, in this case, the coins will be sent to the attackers address instead of the intended user.

Also, the application tries to phish for the seed phrase and the private key, by having the seed phrase and the private key attackers can steal funds from your wallets.

“Several malicious apps have been caught previously on Google Play impersonating MetaMask. However, they merely phished for sensitive information with the goal of accessing the victims’ cryptocurrency funds”.

You can follow us on LinkedinTwitterFacebook for daily Cybersecurity updates also you can take the Best Cybersecurity courses online to keep your self-updated.

2 Android Apps From Google Play Store Launching Banking Malware With Sophisticated Evasion Techniques

9 Fake Apps Found On Google Play With More than 8 Million Installs

Gurubaran

Gurubaran is a co-founder of Cyber Security News and GBHackers On Security. He has 10+ years of experience as a Security Consultant, Editor, and Analyst in cybersecurity, technology, and communications.

Recent Posts

Secure Ideas Achieves CREST Accreditation and CMMC Level 1 Compliance

Secure Ideas, a premier provider of penetration testing and security consulting services, proudly announces its…

9 hours ago

New Phishing Campaign Targets Investors to Steal Login Credentials

Symantec has recently identified a sophisticated phishing campaign targeting users of Monex Securities (マネックス証券), a…

9 hours ago

UAC-0219 Hackers Leverage WRECKSTEEL PowerShell Stealer to Extract Data from Computers

In a concerning development, CERT-UA, Ukraine's Computer Emergency Response Team, has reported a series of…

9 hours ago

Hunters International Linked to Hive Ransomware in Attacks on Windows, Linux, and ESXi Systems

Hunters International, a ransomware group suspected to be a rebrand of the infamous Hive ransomware,…

10 hours ago

Qilin Operators Imitate ScreenConnect Login Page to Deploy Ransomware and Gain Admin Access

In a recent cyberattack attributed to the Qilin ransomware group, threat actors successfully compromised a…

10 hours ago

Operation HollowQuill Uses Malicious PDFs to Target Academic and Government Networks

A newly uncovered cyber-espionage campaign, dubbed Operation HollowQuill, has been identified as targeting academic, governmental,…

10 hours ago