Security Blog

 Hong Kong Computer Emergency Response Team (HKCERT) Coordination Centre cooperates with the National Computer Network Emergency Response Technical Team of China (CNCERT) for detecting malicious and suspicious behaviors of Apps from the Google Play Store, in order to study the security risk of apps in the Google Play Store in Hong Kong area. CNCERT provides us analyzed result, and we collate the detection result and publish security alerts to the public.   In the report of December, we have downloaded 195 apps from Play Store, where 6 apps have been identified as high risk. None of them were removed from Play Store (on or before 22-Dec). The detail of report is shown as follow.   Target scope Top 50 Free Applications in Hong Kong areaTop 50 New Free Applications in Hong Kong areaTop 50 Free Games in Hong Kong areaTop 50 New Free Games in Hong Kong area   Scanned Apps Successful downloaded and scanned: 195 appsUnable to download via the system: 5 appsDownloaded date: 5-December 2015List of the downloaded apps: "Appendix 1" [download]   Analysis Overview   In this analysis, 195 apps were scanned for bad behaviors. Based on the level of security threat, the apps were divided into 2 categories: apps with malicious and apps with suspicious behaviors. Malicious behavior refers to apps having malicious purpose explicitly, which could cause direct harm to systems and users' interests. Suspicious behavior refers to apps having behavior, which could cause direct harm to systems and users' interests, but no malicious behavior can be explicitly identified.   1. Scanning Result   Among the 195 scanned apps, 6 apps were identified as security high risk. These 6 Apps were identified with the following high risk behavior signatures Trojan.Android.Rootnik.dzbmfp, AndroidOS/Igexin.A, Trojan.Android.Agent.domnnt, ADWARE/ANDR.Airpush.O.Gen, AndroidOS/GenPua.5588F45F!Olympus, Android.SmsSpy.16.origin, etc.   List of security high risk apps   Application High risk behavior signature / Ad plug-in Malware detection ratio by VirusTotal Status # 1) SelfieCity    (v1.4.9.1) Category: Top Free App Installs: 500,000+ High risk behavior description: obtain SIM operator name, obtain SIM serial number, obtain geo-location information, obtain WiFi configuration, and connect to the Internet. Trojan.Android.Rootnik.dzbmfp 2 / 54 [Link] Available on play store 2) 萌幻修仙    (v5.5) Category: Top Free App, New Free App, Top Free Game, New Free Game Installs: 100,000+ High risk behavior description: obtain SIM operator name, obtain geo-location information, ...

  Favourite Security Reads of the Week (24 Dec 2015)   "Favourite Security Reads of the Week". Each week we share five news or articles that we like. We hope you will love this column and we welcome your comment via email to hkcert@hkcert....

  HKCERT conducted a study using the Shodan Internet services search engine and found that 106 industrial control system (ICS) devices in Hong Kong could be discovered on the Internet. Why are these ICS devices exposed to the Internet? What are the social and economic impacts...

  Favourite Security Reads of the Week (18 Dec 2015)   "Favourite Security Reads of the Week". Each week we share five news or articles that we like. We hope you will love this column and we welcome your comment via email to hkcert@hkcert....

  Favourite Security Reads of the Week (11 Dec 2015)   "Favourite Security Reads of the Week". Each week we share five news or articles that we like. We hope you will love this column and we welcome your comment via email to [email protected].   Below is the Favourite Security Reads of this Week.   從兒童玩具製造商 VTech 資料外洩事件學到什麼教訓? (Trend Micro, 2015-12-10, Chinese) Wearables: where’s the security risk? (WeLiveSecurity, 2015-12-08...

  Favourite Security Reads of the Week (4 Dec 2015)   "Favourite Security Reads of the Week". Each week we share five news or articles that we like. We hope you will love this column and we welcome your comment via email to [email protected].   Below is the Favourite Security Reads of this Week.   Photos of kids and parents, chatlogs, audio files stolen in VTech breach (Sophos Naked Security, 2015-12-01) 行動支付高攻擊風險 持續延燒 (資安人, 2015-12-01, Chinese) Where Is Ransomware Going? (Dark Reading, 2015-11-23) When Your CEO Won’t Take Security Awareness...

  Cover Story iOS Malware XcodeGhost affecting Hong Kong Hot Topic Hong Kong Google Play Store's Apps Security Risk Report (November 2015)   Want the newsletter delivered to your mailbox every month? Subscribe it here.

  Favourite Security Reads of the Week (27 Nov 2015)   "Favourite Security Reads of the Week". Each week we share five news or articles that we like. We hope you will love this column and we welcome your comment via email to hkcert@hkcert....

  Favourite Security Reads of the Week (20 Nov 2015)   "Favourite Security Reads of the Week". Each week we share five news or articles that we like. We hope you will love this column and we welcome your comment via email to hkcert@hkcert....

In the Sep-2015, a security researcher discovered iOS malware XcodeGhost in official Apple Store. Over hundred applications were affected, including "WeChat", "TTPod", "Di Di", "Hexin Financial" common application and "Angry Birds 2" famous game.   Infection Vector ...