A new Android banking malware can launch ransomware attacks in addition to more typical activities like credential theft and user surveillance.
The “deVixor” remote access trojan (RAT) was detailed by Cyble researchers in a new blog post. While focused on Iranian banking users for now, the malware developer’s active Telegram channel suggests that the malware could eventually find wider use.
As Cyble noted, “The channel’s growing subscriber base further supports the assessment that deVixor is being maintained and distributed as an ongoing criminal service rather than a short-lived operation.”
“DeVixor demonstrates how modern Android banking malware has evolved into a scalable, service-driven criminal platform capable of compromising devices over the long term and facilitating financial abuse,” the researchers added.
Android Banking Malware DeVixor’s Many Capabilities
The deVixor campaign has been active since October, targeting Iranian users through phishing websites that masquerade as legitimate automotive businesses promising deep discounts to lure users into downloading malicious APK files.
Cyble said its analysis of more than 700 samples “indicates with high confidence that the threat actor has been conducting a mass infection campaign leveraging Telegram-based infrastructure, enabling centralized control, rapid updates, and sustained campaign evolution.”
DeVixor has evolved from basic SMS harvesting into a full-featured RAT that offers bank fraud, credential theft, ransomware, and device surveillance from a single platform.
The Android banking malware uses Firebase for command delivery and a Telegram-based bot infrastructure for administration, “allowing attackers to manage infections at scale and evade traditional detection mechanisms.”
Evolving from early versions that primarily focused on collecting PII and harvesting banking-related SMS messages, the malware has evolved rapidly, adding banking-related overlay attacks, keylogging, ransomware attacks, Google Play Protect bypass techniques, and exploitation of Android’s Accessibility Service.
The RAT uses a Telegram bot–based admin panel for issuing commands, and each APK deployed is assigned a unique Bot ID stored in a local port.json file, allowing the operator to monitor and control individual devices. Cyble listed nearly 50 commands that the malware can execute.
DeVixor can harvest OTPs, account balances, card numbers, and messages from banks and cryptocurrency exchanges. It captures banking credentials by loading legitimate banking pages inside a WebView-based JavaScript injection.
The malware can also collect all device notifications, capture keystrokes, prevent uninstallation, hide its presence, harvest contacts, and take screenshots.
“Android banking malware has progressed well beyond basic credential-harvesting threats, evolving into sophisticated remote access toolkits maintained as persistent, service-driven criminal operations,” the researchers said.
“The modular command architecture, persistent configuration mechanisms, and an active development cycle all indicate that deVixor is not an isolated campaign, but a maintained and extensible criminal service,” Cyble said.
Android Ransomware
The Android banking malware also includes “a remotely triggered ransomware module capable of locking devices and demanding cryptocurrency payments,” the researchers said.
After the RANSOMWARE command is issued, the malware receives the attacker-supplied parameters, including the ransom note, a TRON cryptocurrency wallet address, and the ransom demand.
Details are stored locally in a file called LockTouch.json, which retains the ransomware infection across device reboots. Based on screenshots posted on the threat actor’s Telegram channel, deVixor locks the victim’s device and displays the ransom message “Your device is locked. Deposit to unlock,” along with the attacker’s TRON wallet address.
The malware also sends device identifiers and ransom-related details to the command and control (C&C) server to track victim status and compliance with demands.