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Malware

GhostBat RAT

GhostBat RAT is an Android remote access trojan observed in campaigns targeting users across India. It has been distributed via malicious APK files delivered through hacked websites, WhatsApp, and SMS messages, with the apps masquerading as Indian Regional Transport Office applications, including a counterfeit mParivahan app. Reported capabilities include theft of sensitive data from compromised devices, exfiltration of UPI PINs, and harvesting of SMS messages containing banking-related keywords. Infected devices are registered through a Telegram bot identified as "GhostBatRat_bot." Reported evasion and anti-analysis techniques include ZIP header manipulation, extensive string obfuscation, native code execution, and anti-emulation. Researchers also identified more advanced variants that execute encrypted payloads using a native C/C++-based packer. Cyble and iVerify described GhostBat RAT as one of two Android malware families capable of stealing sensitive data from compromised devices.

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MITRE ATT&CK

Techniques & procedures

10 distinct techniques documented for this family, organized by ATT&CK tactic.

Initial Access

3 techniques
T1189Drive-by CompromiseEvidence1

"Hacked websites, WhatsApp, and SMS messages have been used by threat actors to deliver illicit APK files"

T1566PhishingEvidence1

"Hacked websites, WhatsApp, and SMS messages have been used... to deliver illicit APK files"

T1566.001Spearphishing AttachmentEvidence1

"...WhatsApp, and SMS messages have been used by threat actors to deliver illicit APK files"

Stealth

4 techniques
T1027Obfuscated Files or InformationEvidence1

"...extensive string obfuscation..." and "...encrypted payload execution through a native C/C++-based packer"

T1036MasqueradingEvidence1

"...download of spoofed versions of Indian Regional Transport Office apps, including mParivahan"

T1497Virtualization/Sandbox EvasionEvidence1

"...anti-emulation tactics to bypass detection"

T1620Reflective Code LoadingEvidence1

"...native code execution..." and "...native C/C++-based packer"

Credential Access

1 technique
T1056Input CaptureEvidence1

"Installation of the counterfeit mParivahan app enabled not only the exfiltration of UPI PINs"

Discovery

1 technique
T1497Virtualization/Sandbox EvasionEvidence1

"...anti-emulation tactics to bypass detection"

Collection

2 techniques
T1056Input CaptureEvidence1

"Installation of the counterfeit mParivahan app enabled not only the exfiltration of UPI PINs"

T1114Email CollectionEvidence1

"...exfiltration of SMS messages with banking-related keywords"

Command and Control

1 technique
T1102Web ServiceEvidence1

"Infected devices are also concurrently registered using the Telegram bot 'GhostBatRat_bot'"

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Exploited vulnerabilities

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Detection signatures

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MITRE ATT&CK mapping10

Every documented technique, ranked by evidence weight.

Researcher chatter

Reddit, Mastodon, and CTI community discussion around this family.