How to remove PixPirate from the infected device
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What kind of malware is PixPirate?
The PixPirate is a dangerous Android banking Trojan that has the capability to carry out ATS (Automatic Transfer System) attacks. This allows threat actors to automatically transfer funds through the Pix Instant Payment platform, which numerous Brazilian banks use.
In addition to launching ATS attacks, PixPirate can intercept and delete SMS messages, prevent the uninstallation process, and carry out malvertising attacks.
PixPirate overview
One of the components of the PixPirate trojan leverages Accessibility Services to steal banking passwords. This module includes a unique function specifically designed for each targeted bank, taking into account the distinct layout of each banking application.
The PixPirate can identify the various UI elements of the bank's activity through the Accessibility Services and capture the password input displayed on the screen. If there are any changes in the password text, PixPirate grabs the victim's password.
The creators of PixPirate also designed a specific JavaScript file for each targeted bank to control the various stages of fraudulent transactions. It can identify UI (User Interface) elements (e.g.,m buttons, text, inputs) within the targeted applications to determine which activity is being shown on the victim's device.
Also, it can determine the account balance to calculate the amount of money to be stolen. These steps are performed to complete fraudulent transactions.
PixPirate also has the capability to delete SMS messages that contain specific text. It can execute actions such as long clicking, clicking the delete button, and confirming the deletion process. PixPirate can hide these activities by displaying a loading window and muting the device during the deletion process.
PixPirate can also perform malvertising attacks via push notifications and disable Google Play Protect. Malvertising refers to the practice of spreading malware through online advertising. This is usually done by inserting malicious or infected ads into legitimate online advertising networks and web pages.
Google Play Protect is a security feature that scans apps and devices for malicious behavior. Before a user downloads an app from the Google Play Store, it performs a safety check to ensure it is free of harmful elements. Google Play Protect also checks a device for any potentially harmful apps that might have been installed from other sources.
| Name | PixPirate trojan |
| Threat Type | Android malware, malicious application, unwanted application. |
| Detection Names | Avast-Mobile (Android:Evo-gen [Trj]), BitDefenderFalx (Android.Riskware.Agent.KGX), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of Android/Spy.Banker.BQK), Kaspersky (HEUR:Trojan-Banker.AndroidOS.Banbra.aa), Full List (VirusTotal) |
| Symptoms | The device is running slow, system settings are modified without user's permission, questionable applications appear, data and battery usage is increased significantly, browsers redirect to questionable websites, intrusive advertisements are delivered. |
| Distribution methods | Fake apps such as Bonus Authenticator, Golden Star, Key Authenticator, and other droppers. |
| Damage | Deleted SMS messages, decreased device performance, battery is drained quickly, decreased Internet speed, data loss, monetary loss, stolen identity. |
| Malware Removal (Android) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your mobile device with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
Conclusion
Having a device infected with PixPirate may cause financial losses, additional infections, and other problems. Although PixPirate is still in its early stages of development, it has already been seen to target the Pix instant payment platform used by multiple Brazilian banks. There is a possibility that the trojan may target other countries in the future.
Examples of other malware targeting Android users are Hook, Gigabud, and Pegasus.
How did PixPirate infiltrate my device?
PixPirate disguises its harmful intent by using familiar names and icons, appearing as a genuine app to its victims. Some examples include Bonus Authenticator, Golden Star, and Key Authenticator. These apps are likely to be distributed via Google Play or other channels.
The delivery of PixPirate is usually done through a dropper application, which is used to download and install the banking trojan. Upon installation, PixPirate immediately attempts to enable the Accessibility Services, persistently prompting the victim with fake pop-ups until they grant permission.
Once the victim grants the permissions, PixPirate will activate all its malicious functions.
How to avoid installation of malware?
Read reviews and research apps before downloading them. Only download apps from official websites and stores, and avoid downloading from questionable sources. Be cautious of clicking suspicious links received via email or SMS. Keep Google Play Protect enabled at all times.
Regularly update all installed apps to ensure they have the latest security patches.
Screenshot of the trojanized Bonus Authenticator installation phases (source: cleafy.com):
Update January 16, 2024 – new technique has been observed being leveraged by PixPirate to hide and continue its activities even following the removal of its dropper application. This app has been noted being spread as APK files through spam SMSes and WhatsApp messages.
It requests various permissions, which include being allowed to install another application titled "droppee" (name may vary). "Droppee" is an encrypted variant of PixPirate.
The malware makes no activity declarations with "android.intent.action.MAIN" and "android.intent.category.LAUNCHER" – thus, no icon is created, and the malicious software is hidden from view. Typically, Android-targeting programs merely hide their icons, but PixPirate does not use one at all.
Instead, "Droppee" exports a service for other software to connect, and the initial dropper app does so. Hence, it can time PixPirate's execution and control the malware. More information on these developments can be found in an article by Bill Toulas on the Bleeping Computer website.
Quick menu:
- Introduction
- How to delete browsing history from the Chrome web browser?
- How to disable browser notifications in the Chrome web browser?
- How to reset the Chrome web browser?
- How to delete browsing history from the Firefox web browser?
- How to disable browser notifications in the Firefox web browser?
- How to reset the Firefox web browser?
- How to uninstall potentially unwanted and/or malicious applications?
- How to boot the Android device in "Safe Mode"?
- How to check the battery usage of various applications?
- How to check the data usage of various applications?
- How to install the latest software updates?
- How to reset the system to its default state?
- How to disable applications that have administrator privileges?
Delete browsing history from the Chrome web browser:
Tap the "Menu" button (three dots on the right-upper corner of the screen) and select "History" in the opened dropdown menu.
Tap "Clear browsing data", select "ADVANCED" tab, choose the time range and data types you want to delete and tap "Clear data".
Disable browser notifications in the Chrome web browser:
Tap the "Menu" button (three dots on the right-upper corner of the screen) and select "Settings" in the opened dropdown menu.
Scroll down until you see "Site settings" option and tap it. Scroll down until you see "Notifications" option and tap it.
Find the websites that deliver browser notifications, tap on them and click "Clear & reset". This will remove permissions granted for these websites to deliver notifications. However, once you visit the same site again, it may ask for a permission again. You can choose whether to give these permissions or not (if you choose to decline the website will go to "Blocked" section and will no longer ask you for the permission).
Reset the Chrome web browser:
Go to "Settings", scroll down until you see "Apps" and tap it.
Scroll down until you find "Chrome" application, select it and tap "Storage" option.
Tap "MANAGE STORAGE", then "CLEAR ALL DATA" and confirm the action by taping "OK". Note that resetting the browser will eliminate all data stored within. This means that all saved logins/passwords, browsing history, non-default settings and other data will be deleted. You will also have to re-login into all websites as well.
Delete browsing history from the Firefox web browser:
Tap the "Menu" button (three dots on the right-upper corner of the screen) and select "History" in the opened dropdown menu.
Scroll down until you see "Clear private data" and tap it. Select data types you want to remove and tap "CLEAR DATA".
Disable browser notifications in the Firefox web browser:
Visit the website that is delivering browser notifications, tap the icon displayed on the left of URL bar (the icon will not necessarily be a "Lock") and select "Edit Site Settings".
In the opened pop-up opt-in the "Notifications" option and tap "CLEAR".
Reset the Firefox web browser:
Go to "Settings", scroll down until you see "Apps" and tap it.
Scroll down until you find "Firefox" application, select it and tap "Storage" option.
Tap "CLEAR DATA" and confirm the action by taping "DELETE". Note that resetting the browser will eliminate all data stored within. This means that all saved logins/passwords, browsing history, non-default settings and other data will be deleted. You will also have to re-login into all websites as well.
Uninstall potentially unwanted and/or malicious applications:
Go to "Settings", scroll down until you see "Apps" and tap it.
Scroll down until you see a potentially unwanted and/or malicious application, select it and tap "Uninstall". If, for some reason, you are unable to remove the selected app (e.g., you are prompted with an error message), you should try using the "Safe Mode".
Boot the Android device in "Safe Mode":
The "Safe Mode" in Android operating system temporarily disables all third-party applications from running. Using this mode is a good way to diagnose and solve various issues (e.g., remove malicious applications that prevent users you from doing so when the device is running "normally").
Push the "Power" button and hold it until you see the "Power off" screen. Tap the "Power off" icon and hold it. After a few seconds the "Safe Mode" option will appear and you'll be able run it by restarting the device.
Check the battery usage of various applications:
Go to "Settings", scroll down until you see "Device maintenance" and tap it.
Tap "Battery" and check the usage of each application. Legitimate/genuine applications are designed to use as low energy as possible in order to provide the best user experience and to save power. Therefore, high battery usage may indicate that the application is malicious.
Check the data usage of various applications:
Go to "Settings", scroll down until you see "Connections" and tap it.
Scroll down until you see "Data usage" and select this option. As with battery, legitimate/genuine applications are designed to minimize data usage as much as possible. This means that huge data usage may indicate presence of malicious application. Note that some malicious applications might be designed to operate when the device is connected to wireless network only. For this reason, you should check both Mobile and Wi-Fi data usage.
If you find an application that uses a lot of data even though you never use it, then we strongly advise you to uninstall it as soon as possible.
Install the latest software updates:
Keeping the software up-to-date is a good practice when it comes to device safety. The device manufacturers are continually releasing various security patches and Android updates in order to fix errors and bugs that can be abused by cyber criminals. An outdated system is way more vulnerable, which is why you should always be sure that your device's software is up-to-date.
Go to "Settings", scroll down until you see "Software update" and tap it.
Tap "Download updates manually" and check if there are any updates available. If so, install them immediately. We also recommend to enable the "Download updates automatically" option - it will enable the system to notify you once an update is released and/or install it automatically.
Reset the system to its default state:
Performing a "Factory Reset" is a good way to remove all unwanted applications, restore system's settings to default and clean the device in general. However, you must keep in mind that all data within the device will be deleted, including photos, video/audio files, phone numbers (stored within the device, not the SIM card), SMS messages, and so forth. In other words, the device will be restored to its primal state.
You can also restore the basic system settings and/or simply network settings as well.
Go to "Settings", scroll down until you see "About phone" and tap it.
Scroll down until you see "Reset" and tap it. Now choose the action you want to perform:
"Reset settings" - restore all system settings to default;
"Reset network settings" - restore all network-related settings to default;
"Factory data reset" - reset the entire system and completely delete all stored data;
Disable applications that have administrator privileges:
If a malicious application gets administrator-level privileges it can seriously damage the system. To keep the device as safe as possible you should always check what apps have such privileges and disable the ones that shouldn't.
Go to "Settings", scroll down until you see "Lock screen and security" and tap it.
Scroll down until you see "Other security settings", tap it and then tap "Device admin apps".
Identify applications that should not have administrator privileges, tap them and then tap "DEACTIVATE".
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are the biggest issues that malware can cause?
Theft of personal information such as passwords, credit card numbers, and other sensitive data. Identity theft, monetary loss, and the spread of malware to other devices. Installation of additional malware or unwanted programs and other issues.
What is the purpose of PixPirate malware?
PixPirate can steal banking credentials and launch ATS attacks on multiple Brazilian banks through the Pix payments platform. It also has the capability to intercept and delete SMS messages, prevent uninstallation, and perform malvertising attacks.
How did PixPirate malware infiltrate my device?
It is known that PixPirate is distributed via dropper apps (trojanized apps) such as Bonus Authenticator, Golden Star, Key Authenticator, and other apps. Upon installation, PixPirate immediately attempts to enable Accessibility Services. After granting the permissions, PixPirate starts its malicious activities.
Will Combo Cleaner protect me from malware?
Combo Cleaner is a malware detection and removal tool that can help protect your device against a wide range of threats. It is important to run a full system scan to thoroughly check your device and ensure that any hidden or deep-rooted malware infections are detected and eliminated.
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