Hong Kong Google Play Store's Apps Security Risk Report (January 2016)
Hong Kong Computer Emergency Response Team (HKCERT) Coordination Centre cooperates with the National Computer Network Emergency Response Technical Team of China (CNCERT) for detecting malicious and suspicious behaviors of Apps from the Google Play Store, in order to study the security risk of apps in the Google Play Store in Hong Kong area. CNCERT provides us analyzed result, and we collate the detection result and publish security alerts to the public.
In the report of January, we have downloaded 188 apps from Play Store, where 5 apps have been identified as high risk. None of them were removed from Play Store (on or before 22-Jan). The detail of report is shown as follow.
Target scope
- Top 50 Free Applications in Hong Kong area
- Top 50 New Free Applications in Hong Kong area
- Top 50 Free Games in Hong Kong area
- Top 50 New Free Games in Hong Kong area
Scanned Apps
- Successful downloaded and scanned: 188 apps
- Unable to download via the system: 12 apps
- Downloaded date: 5-January 2016
- List of the downloaded apps: "Appendix 1" [download]
Analysis Overview
In this analysis, 188 apps were scanned for bad behaviors. 5 apps were identified as security high risk. Based on the level of security threat, the following apps listed below are defined as high risk apps, which refers to apps having behavior, which could cause direct harm to systems and users' interests.
1.Scanning Result
List of security high risk apps
Application | High risk behavior description | Malware detection ratio by VirusTotal | Status # |
1) 三國！這麼玩-神將降臨 (v1.5) | obtain SIM operator name, obtain SIM serial number, obtain SIM status, obtain geo-location information, and obtain device information. | 0 / 48 [Link] | Available on play store |
2) 风行播放器 (v2.0.5.13) | obtain SIM serial number, obtain SIM status, obtain geo-location information, obtain device information, connect to the Internet, and send out phone information. | 3 / 52 [Link] | Available on play store |
3) 刀鋒無雙 - 英雄硬起來(公測版) (v1.2.0) | obtain SIM operator name, obtain SIM serial number, obtain SIM status, obtain geo-location information, and obtain WiFi configuration. | 3 / 48 [Link] | Available on play store |
4) Star Girl: Glam City (v1.0) | obtain SIM operator name, obtain geo-location information, obtain WiFi configuration, connect to the Internet, and send out phone information. | 2 / 48 [Link] | Available on play store |
5) Youku-Movie，TV，cartoon，Music (v5.3.1) | obtain SIM operator name, obtain SIM serial number, obtain SIM status, obtain geo-location information, obtain device information, read phone number, and connect to the Internet. | 7 / 50 [Link] | Available on play store |
Remark (#): The status was checked on 22-Jan. There is no direct relation between the on-shelf status and this report.
2.High risk app analysis
Please refer to "Appendix 2" [download]
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