Attackers have been actively exploiting an Android vulnerability that allows malicious apps to display dangerous permission requests and phishing overlays under the guise of a legitimate app. Dubbed StrandHogg (an old Norse Viking term), the flaw resides in Android’s taskAffinity control setting, and can be successfully abused without having to first gain root access, according to Norway-based app security firm Promon. Researchers with the company say the flaw affects all versions of Android, and can be used to attack any of the 500 most popular Android apps (popularity based on rankings from app intelligence company 42 Matters).
Source: SC Magazine
