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Archived: 2026-04-05 13:48:57 UTC
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 Tool: CarbonSteal
Names CarbonSteal
Category Malware
Type Reconnaissance, Backdoor, Info stealer, Exfiltration
Description
(Lookout) CarbonSteal is Android surveillanceware that has been tracked by Lookout
since 2017, and more than 500 samples have been seen to date. While not as
sophisticated as HenBox, certain samples of CarbonSteal do make use of a combination
of native libraries and DEX classes, while others do not and are much simpler.
Hallmarks of CarbonSteal include extensive audio recording functionality in a variety of
codecs and audio formats, as well as the capability in later samples to control an infected
device through specially crafted SMS messages. Attackers can also perform audio
surveillance through the malware’s ability to silently answer a call from a specific phone
number and allow the attacker to listen in to sounds around an infected device. Based on
this functionality, we suspect that CarbonSteal might be deployed in areas with
insufficient or no mobile data coverage.
Samples of CarbonSteal and HenBox also use the same non-compromised signing
certificates in many cases, suggesting the actor behind their deployment is the same.
Furthermore, overlapping validity dates of these certificates may indicate that the
samples were produced around the same time frame. This evidence led Lookout
researchers to the theory that these tools were primarily used in an ongoing malware
campaign (at the time) and against similar targets, with titles and languages once again
suggesting a Uyghur focused interest.
Information
MITRE ATT&CK Malpedia AlienVault OTX https://apt.etda.or.th/cgi-bin/listgroups.cgi?u=b0732e1a-4e75-4e04-9115-2e8c7fbd19c9
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Last change to this tool card: 30 December 2022
Download this tool card in JSON format
All groups using tool CarbonSteal
Changed Name Country Observed
APT groups
  Ke3chang, Vixen Panda, APT 15, GREF, Playful Dragon 2010-Oct 2024  
1 group listed (1 APT, 0 other, 0 unknown)
Source: https://apt.etda.or.th/cgi-bin/listgroups.cgi?u=b0732e1a-4e75-4e04-9115-2e8c7fbd19c9
https://apt.etda.or.th/cgi-bin/listgroups.cgi?u=b0732e1a-4e75-4e04-9115-2e8c7fbd19c9
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