Security researchers warn budget Android phones shipped with preinstalled malware
Bitdefender security researchers report that cheap Android smartphones from brands like Doogee and Cubot were shipped with firmware-level malware to countries spanning 150 regions.
Supply chain compromise found
An unidentified threat actor managed to infect the supply chain before devices reached retail stores. The malicious code was added at a firmware level, making it nearly impossible for users to remove without official updates.
Specific models identified as targets
Affected devices include the Doogee S200 X, the Doogee Fire 3 Max, and the Cubot KINGKONG X. Reports also note that some counterfeit phones impersonating major brands were part of this distribution.
Malware functions explained
The infection generated fraudulent advertising revenue and turned infected handsets into residential proxies for attackers. These compromised units allowed remote code execution and granted the intruder higher system privileges without user consent.
Reported by one outlet
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