Group-IB

Group-IB Discovers RemControl Android Banking Trojan Using Dynamic Overlay Attacks to Steal Banking PINs

Group-IB has identified a new Android banking trojan named RemControl with samples dating back to July 2026. The malware targets more than 30 financial institutions across Europe, the Middle East, and Canada, with Italy and France as primary focus areas. RemControl employs an overlay technique that displays a full-screen phishing replica of the legitimate banking app when the victim launches the real application, capturing PINs, access codes, and card details before seamlessly returning control to the authentic app. Phishing screens are not bundled in the APK but are fetched dynamically from operator-controlled servers reachable via Telegram channels, allowing rapid target changes without reinfection. Distribution relies on fake Google Play listing pages that mimic a streaming application, with geo-targeted delivery for Italian visitors. The trojan requests VPN permissions to block Play Store traffic and bypass real-time security checks, followed by accessibility service access that enables screen reading, keystroke logging, remote taps, and unlock pattern reconstruction.

Group-IB Uncovers HEAVYGRAM Multi-Stage Windows Spyware Controlled via Telegram Bot API

Researchers at Group-IB have identified 29 new samples of HEAVYGRAM, a sophisticated multi-stage Windows malware designed to target journalists, Iranian dissidents, and government critics. The campaign begins with social engineering lures that deliver archives containing fake Telegram, KeePass, or video editor files, along with WSF, HTA, and Persian-language screensaver payloads. Once executed, the malware uses PowerShell to fetch additional components, establishes persistence through Windows startup mechanisms, and adds its directories to Microsoft Defender exclusions. The core implant, written in Python and packed with PyInstaller, supports DLL side-loading and communicates exclusively through Telegram Bot API to receive commands, capture screenshots, enumerate processes, and exfiltrate data. A particularly damaging capability allows theft of Telegram Desktop session files, enabling account hijacking without password re-entry. Group-IB attributes the operation to the Handala Hack group, linked to the Void Manticore persona also tracked as Storm-0842 and Red Sandstorm, believed to operate on behalf of Iranian intelligence services.

HEAVYGRAM Spyware Uses Telegram Bots for Command and Control Against Iranian Targets

Researchers at Group-IB have published a detailed analysis of HEAVYGRAM, a spyware family that abuses the Telegram messaging platform as its command-and-control infrastructure. The malware family was first observed in the second half of 2023 and has since been linked with moderate confidence to the Handala Hack group. Instead of operating dedicated servers, the operators rely on Telegram bots, accounts, and groups to register infected hosts, receive commands, exfiltrate stolen data, and deliver additional payloads. Once active, HEAVYGRAM captures screenshots, records audio, harvests cached files, and steals data from Telegram Desktop installed on the victim machine. The campaign primarily targets Iranian journalists, dissidents, and individuals opposed to the Iranian government. Infection vectors include malicious files distributed via messengers, disguised as legitimate applications such as Pictory, KeePass, or Telegram-related tools, sometimes delivered as HTML applications or scripts.

ClickLock Stealer Locks macOS Until Victims Enter Real Passwords and Exfiltrates Browser, Crypto and Keychain Data

Researchers at Group-IB have discovered a new macOS infostealer called ClickLock that blocks normal computer operation until the user supplies valid account credentials. The campaign, active since May 2026, has already affected at least 100 victims across 33 countries. Infection begins with a fake Cloudflare verification page that tricks users into pasting a command into Terminal, after which the malware silently downloads four modules from compromised WordPress sites. A convincing macOS password prompt then appears; ClickLock validates the entered password locally and only forwards working credentials to the operators. Two persistent LaunchAgent modules repeatedly close all visible applications and force Keychain authorization, while a separate process disables Notification Center for several hours. The malware harvests data from eight browsers, 31 crypto-wallet extensions, seven password managers, eight desktop wallets, Keychain items, command history, FTP credentials and six blockchain addresses before exfiltrating everything via Telegram bots and hijacked domains, leaving behind a disguised GSocket backdoor.