How to remove Xamalicious from Android devices
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is Xamalicious?
Xamalicious is a backdoor malware targeting Android users. This malicious software is composed using Xamarin, an open-source framework. Xamalicious aims to gain accessibility privileges. Upon obtaining these privileges, Xamalicious can trigger the download of a second-stage payload.
Xamalicious in detail
Upon execution of the payload delivered by Xamalicious, the injected malware can take complete control of the infected device by leveraging the extensive privileges Xamalicious gained in the initial stage. The payload possesses the ability to independently update the primary APK, allowing the malware to operate as spyware or a banking trojan without needing any input or involvement from the victim.
A connection has been discovered between Xamalicious and an ad-fraud app named "Cash Magnet". This app engages in automatic clicks on ads, installs apps, and conducts other actions to generate earnings. This implies that cybercriminals behind these threats are motivated by financial gains and are likely using ad fraud as a key objective for Xamalicious.
More than twenty applications have been identified as carriers for the Xamalicious backdoor. These apps span various categories such as health, games, horoscopes, and productivity. A majority of these apps are currently accessible for download on third-party marketplaces.
It is important to mention that Xamalicious gathers diverse device information before injecting its payload. The collected data encompasses Android ID, operating system version, USB configuration, ADB status, device location, CPU details, and other information.
| Name | Xamalicious backdoor |
| Threat Type | Android malware, malicious application, backdoor |
| Detection Names | AhnLab-V3 (Trojan/Android.XAgent.1214836), Avira (ANDROID/Piom.zrtio), ESET-NOD32 (Android/Xamalicious.F), Kaspersky (HEUR:Trojan.AndroidOS.Piom.bbot), 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 | Social engineering, deceptive applications, third-party app stores. |
| Damage | Stolen personal information (private messages, logins/passwords, etc.), decreased device performance, battery is drained quickly, decreased Internet speed, huge data losses, monetary losses, stolen identity (malicious apps might abuse communication apps). |
| Malware Removal (Android) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your mobile device with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
Conclusion
In conclusion, Xamalicious represents a sophisticated and concerning Android backdoor. Its capability to inject a second-stage payload make it a potent tool for malicious activities. Payloads dropped via Xamalicious can lead to severe consequences, including full control of the infected device, unauthorized access to sensitive information, and the potential for engaging in fraudulent activities.
More examples of Android malware are TrickMo, Kamran, and GoldDigger.
How did Xamalicious infiltrate my device?
Xamalicious is distributed through applications associated with health, games, productivity, and horoscopes, mainly found on third-party app stores. Some of these apps are 3D Skin Editor for PE Minecraft, Astrological Navigator: Daily Horoscope & Tarot, Auto Click Repeater, Count Easy Calorie Calculator, and Essential Horoscope for Android.
Xamalicious can inject its payload after users grant the infected permission to enable accessibility services.
How to avoid installation of malware?
Prioritize installing apps exclusively from official app stores such as Google Play. Exercise caution when granting permissions to apps during installation, ensuring that unnecessary or suspicious requests are not approved. Regularly update the device's operating system and installed applications.
Use a reputable mobile security solution. Review app reviews before downloading and installing. Be cautious of clicking on suspicious links in emails, messages, or websites.
Apps associated with Xamalicious (source: mcafee.com):
List of apps associated with Xamalicious:
- 3D Skin Editor for PE Minecraft
- Astrological Navigator: Daily Horoscope & Tarot
- Auto Click Repeater
- Count Easy Calorie Calculator
- Essential Horoscope for Android
- LetterLink
- Logo Maker Pro
- NUMEROLOGY: PERSONAL HOROSCOPE & NUMBER PREDICTIONS
- Sound Volume Booster
- Sound Volume Extender
- Step Keeper: Easy Pedometer
- Track Your Sleep
- Universal Calculator
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)
My device is infected with Xamalicious malware, should I format my storage device to get rid of it?
Formatting your storage device is a drastic measure and may not be necessary to remove Xamalicious malware. Instead, consider using reputable antivirus or anti-malware program like Combo Cleaner to scan and remove the malware from your device.
What are the biggest issues that malware can cause?
Malware can cause significant issues, including unauthorized access to sensitive information, data breaches, financial loss, identity theft, disruption of device functionality, and exploitation of resources for malicious activities.
What is the purpose of Xamalicious?
The primary purpose of Xamalicious is to serve as a sophisticated Android backdoor, allowing cybercriminals to inject additional payloads (other malware).
How did Xamalicious infiltrate my device?
This malware is delivered via infected apps distributed mainly through third-party app stores. Devices become infected when users download a trojanized app and permit it to enable accessibility services.
Will Combo Cleaner protect me from malware?
Combo Cleaner is adept at identifying and eradicating virtually all known malware infections. It is crucial to understand that advanced malware can hide deep in the system. Consequently, running a thorough system scan is imperative to ensure a successful elimination.
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