detecting-mobile-malware-behavior

name	detecting-mobile-malware-behavior
description	Detects and analyzes malicious behavior in mobile applications through behavioral analysis, permission abuse detection, network traffic monitoring, and dynamic instrumentation. Use when analyzing suspicious mobile applications for data exfiltration, command-and-control communication, credential stealing, SMS interception, or other malware indicators. Activates for requests involving mobile malware analysis, app behavior monitoring, trojan detection, or suspicious app investigation.
domain	cybersecurity
subdomain	mobile-security
author	mahipal
tags	["mobile-security","android","ios","malware-analysis","owasp-mobile","penetration-testing"]
version	1.0.0
license	Apache-2.0
nist_csf	["PR.PS-01","PR.AA-05","ID.RA-01","DE.CM-09"]

Detecting Mobile Malware Behavior

When to Use

Use this skill when:

• Analyzing suspicious mobile applications submitted by users or discovered during incident response
• Monitoring enterprise mobile fleet for malicious app indicators
• Performing malware triage on APK/IPA samples
• Investigating data exfiltration or unauthorized device access from mobile apps

Do not use this skill to create, enhance, or distribute malware. This skill is for defensive analysis only.

Prerequisites

• Isolated analysis environment (dedicated device or emulator, not connected to production networks)
• MobSF for automated static+dynamic analysis
• Frida/Objection for runtime behavior monitoring
• Wireshark/tcpdump for network traffic capture
• Android emulator (AVD) or Genymotion for safe execution
• VirusTotal API key for hash lookups

Workflow

Step 1: Static Indicator Analysis

# Hash the sample
sha256sum suspicious.apk

# Check VirusTotal
curl -s "https://www.virustotal.com/api/v3/files/<SHA256>" \
  -H "x-apikey: <VT_API_KEY>" | jq '.data.attributes.last_analysis_stats'

# Extract permissions from AndroidManifest.xml
aapt dump permissions suspicious.apk

# High-risk permission combinations:
# READ_SMS + INTERNET = SMS stealer
# RECEIVE_SMS + SEND_SMS = SMS interceptor/banker trojan
# ACCESSIBILITY_SERVICE + INTERNET = overlay attack capability
# CAMERA + RECORD_AUDIO + INTERNET = spyware
# DEVICE_ADMIN + INTERNET = ransomware capability
# READ_CONTACTS + INTERNET = contact exfiltration

Step 2: MobSF Automated Malware Scan

# Upload to MobSF
curl -F "file=@suspicious.apk" http://localhost:8000/api/v1/upload \
  -H "Authorization: <API_KEY>"

# Review malware indicators in report:
# - Hardcoded C2 server addresses
# - Dynamic code loading (DexClassLoader)