Input Injection

Cerberus can inject input to grant itself additional permissions without user interaction and to prevent application removal.^[4][5]

DEFENSOR ID can abuse the accessibility service to perform actions on behalf of the user, including launching attacker-specified applications to steal data.^[6]

Ginp can inject input to make itself the default SMS handler.^[7]

Gustuff injects the global action GLOBAL_ACTION_BACK to mimic pressing the back button to close the application if a call to an open antivirus application is detected.^[2]

Mandrake abuses the accessibility service to prevent removing administrator permissions, accessibility permissions, and to set itself as the default SMS handler.^[8]

Riltok injects input to set itself as the default SMS handler by clicking the appropriate places on the screen. It can also close or minimize targeted antivirus applications and the device security settings screen.^[9]

TERRACOTTA can inject clicks to launch applications, share posts on social media, and interact with WebViews to perform fraudulent actions.^[10]

TrickMo can inject input to set itself as the default SMS handler, and to automatically click through pop-ups without giving the user any time to react.^[11]

Zen can simulate user clicks on ads and system prompts to create new Google accounts.^[12]

Applications that register an accessibility service should be scrutinized further for malicious behavior.

An EMM/MDM can use the Android DevicePolicyManager.setPermittedAccessibilityServices method to set an explicit list of applications that are allowed to use Android's accessibility features.

Users should be warned against granting access to accessibility features, and to carefully scrutinize applications that request this dangerous permission.