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Android Malware Hijacks Update System for Car Head Units
A click-fraud botnet crew now deploys Android malware to car head-unit infotainment systems by abusing the legitimate software update mechanism.
Threat actors behind a notorious Android click-fraud botnet are targeting vehicle infotainment head units, according to Dark Reading. The malware abuses legitimate update functionality to install and spread infections. The campaign highlights automotive Android systems as an emerging attack surface for established mobile botnet operators.
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Malware Hijacks Android Car Head Units
Kaspersky reports first known malware infecting Android car head units via firmware updaters, repurposing vehicles as BADBOX proxy nodes for ad fraud.
Kaspersky documented the first known malware infection of Android-based car head units, delivered through the built-in TWCore firmware updater on DoFun devices via an MQTT-driven installation flag. A multi-stage chain installs the JarService dropper and a loader that pulls a clicker and reverse proxy module ('zhima') used for ad fraud and proxy botnet infrastructure. The malware supports nine commands, including clipboard changes, HTTP requests, and JavaScript loading, checking in with C2 every 90 minutes. Kaspersky attributes the campaign with high confidence to MoYu Group, linked to the BADBOX botnet.
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Hackers infecting Android car systems to build proxy botnet
Kaspersky reports MoYu Group-linked malware infecting DoFun Android car head units, enrolling them in a BadBox-linked proxy botnet for ad fraud and traffic routing.
Kaspersky discovered malware on Android-based head units made by Chinese automotive supplier DoFun, the first documented case of a car head unit being infected through an attack purpose-built for such devices. Attackers abused TWCore, a legitimate DoFun system application that handles updates and can install new apps, to silently push a malicious app called JarService that displays ads, generates fraudulent ad clicks and downloads additional malware. One malware module turns infected head units into reverse proxies so other users' internet traffic can be routed through the car's connection. Kaspersky attributes the campaign with high confidence to MoYu Group, linked to the BadBox operation, which previously infected over 70,000 Android devices and resurfaced as BadBox 2.0 after German authorities disrupted the original botnet in December 2024.
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Android car head units infected with proxy botnet malware through built-in software updaters
Kaspersky found malware delivered via car head unit updaters, attributed to the MoYu Group's BADBOX operation, recruiting devices into a proxy botnet.
Kaspersky discovered malware delivered through the built-in TWCore system updater in Android-based car head units running DoFun infotainment firmware, turning devices into ad-fraud tools and nodes in a proxy botnet. The three-stage infection chain (JarService dropper, loader, and final payload supporting nine commands) installs the zhima reverse-proxy module, which Nokia's Deepfield team independently found on TV set-top boxes. Kaspersky attributes the operation with high confidence to the MoYu Group, linked to the BADBOX supply-chain botnet first identified by HUMAN Security in 2023. DoFun closed the gap after Kaspersky's responsible disclosure.
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