Researchers have discovered a new Android backdoor embedded deep inside device firmware that infects tablets before they even reach consumers.
In a report released this week, Russian cybersecurity firm Kaspersky said it uncovered a previously undocumented backdoor dubbed Keenadu. Unlike typical malware that users inadvertently download, Keenadu is built directly into a device’s core software, allowing it to load into every application launched on the tablet.
“Keenadu represents a full-fledged backdoor that allows attackers to gain virtually unrestricted control over the victim’s device,” the researchers said.
Kaspersky reported that over 13,700 users worldwide encountered Keenadu or its modules. The highest number of detections occurred in Russia, Japan,…