A newly identified Android malware family known as Albiriox has been observed for sale on Russian‑speaking darknet forums. The malware is being offered under a Malware‑as‑a‑Service model and is designed to give operators direct access to infected devices, posing a substantial security risk to mobile users.
Distribution and Deployment Methods
Albiriox was initially advertised during a limited recruitment phase in late September 2025 before becoming more broadly available through a subscription model in October. The malware’s developers provide a builder tool that works with third‑party crypting services, which is intended to help the payload evade some forms of detection. Subscription prices listed on darknet forums increased from $650 to $720 during October.
The malware is commonly delivered through social engineering campaigns. Early activity targeted Austrian users via German‑language SMS messages directing victims to phishing pages impersonating Google Play. These pages distributed fake retailer apps functioning as droppers. When opened, the dropper encourages users to enable installation from unknown sources, which allows the final Albiriox payload to be installed. Other campaigns used messaging platforms like WhatsApp to distribute download links, filtering submissions to accept only Austrian phone numbers.
Targeting Scope and Application Coverage
Researchers report that Albiriox includes a hard-coded list of more than 400 financial‑related applications, including traditional banking apps, fintech services, trading apps, payment platforms, digital wallets, and cryptocurrency exchanges. The malware is built to operate directly within legitimate sessions, which can allow unauthorized actions to be performed within apps the user already has on the device.
Remote Access and Device Interaction Risks
A key component of Albiriox is its VNC-based remote control module, implemented through Android Accessibility Services. Once active, this allows the operator to view the screen and interact with the device remotely. Actions can include navigating the interface, opening applications, typing, tapping, and performing tasks within financial or cryptocurrency apps.
To prevent victims from noticing unauthorized activity, the malware can display a black screen or other masking screens while remote interaction occurs. Because these functions run through accessibility services, the operator may be able to access interfaces normally protected by Android security features such as FLAG_SECURE. These capabilities present a clear risk, as attackers can initiate or approve actions directly on the compromised device without needing separate credentials or bypassing traditional forms of authentication.
Conclusion
Albiriox represents a significant threat to Android users due to its remote control capabilities, accessibility abuse, and extensive targeting of financial applications. Its availability on darknet platforms expands access to these tools, making it easier for operators to deploy them in social engineering campaigns. Continuous monitoring, improved app‑installation safeguards, and awareness of phishing techniques remain essential for mitigating the risks associated with emerging Android malware families like Albiriox.
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