Malware Found In the Firmware of 26 Low-Cost Android Models (bleepingcomputer.com)

Posted by msmash on Tuesday December 13, 2016 @04:12AM from the security-woes dept.

An anonymous reader writes: Security researchers have found malware hidden in the firmware of several low-end Android smartphones and tablets, malware which is used to show ads and install unwanted apps on the devices of unsuspecting users. 26 Android device models have been found to be vulnerable. The common link between all these devices is that all are low-cost devices, mostly marketed in Russia, and which run on MediaTek chipsets.

According to security researchers from Dr.Web, a Russian antivirus vendor, the malware appears to have been added to the firmware by "dishonest outsourcers who took part in [the] creation of Android system images decided to make money on users." The security firm has informed MediaTek and the device vendors about this issue so the affected companies can inspect their distribution chain and find the possible culprits.

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It most CERTAINLY IS Mediatek! by emil · 2016-12-13 05:20 · Score: 5, Informative

They were caught red handed.

When Google had previously updated its systems to check for ADUPS, MediaTek (they make the chipset in millions of low-end phones) simply modified their system software to evade Google’s checks. Nice one MediaTek!
DO NOT BUY EQUIPMENT WITH MEDIATEK CPUS!