* [Blog](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com.au/blog) * [Palo Alto Networks](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com.au/blog/corporate/) * [Malware](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com.au/blog/category/malware-2/) * How Android Installer Hij... # How Android Installer Hijacking Works [](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.paloaltonetworks.com.au%2Fblog%2F2015%2F03%2Fhow-android-installer-hijacking-works%2F) [](https://twitter.com/share?text=How+Android+Installer+Hijacking+Works&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.paloaltonetworks.com.au%2Fblog%2F2015%2F03%2Fhow-android-installer-hijacking-works%2F) [](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.paloaltonetworks.com.au%2Fblog%2F2015%2F03%2Fhow-android-installer-hijacking-works%2F&title=How+Android+Installer+Hijacking+Works&summary=&source=) [](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com//www.reddit.com/submit?url=https://www.paloaltonetworks.com.au/blog/2015/03/how-android-installer-hijacking-works/&ts=markdown) \[\](mailto:?subject=How Android Installer Hijacking Works) Link copied By [Palo Alto Networks](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/author/palo-alto-networks-staff/?ts=markdown "Posts by Palo Alto Networks") Mar 24, 2015 1 minutes [Malware](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/malware-2/?ts=markdown) [Mobility](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/mobility/?ts=markdown) [Threat Advisory/Analysis](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/threat-advisory-analysis/?ts=markdown) [Threat Prevention](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/threat-prevention-2/?ts=markdown) [Android](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/tag/android/?ts=markdown) [Android Installer Hijacking](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/tag/android-installer-hijacking/?ts=markdown) [Google](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/tag/google/?ts=markdown) [malware](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/tag/malware/?ts=markdown) [Mobility](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/tag/mobility/?ts=markdown) [Vulnerability](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/tag/vulnerability/?ts=markdown) Earlier today we [published details](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/2015/03/android-installer-hijacking-vulnerability-could-expose-android-users-to-malware/) of a widespread vulnerability in Google's Android OS that we describe as "Android Installer Hijacking." We have worked with Google and also Samsung and Amazon to patch devices, as this vulnerability could affect up to 49.5 percent of all current Android users. Watch the video below for an explanation of how this vulnerability works and our suggestions for mitigation: Today Palo Alto Networks also released an application via [Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.paloaltonetworks.ctd.ihscanner) and [GitHub](https://github.com/PaloAltoNetworks-BD/InstallerHijackingVulnerabilityScanner) to help Android users diagnose their devices. Watch below for a demonstration of how to use the app: Get all the latest research and threat intelligence from Unit 42 by subscribe to e-mail updates [here](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/threat-research.html). *** ** * ** *** ## Related Blogs ### [Application Advisory/Analysis](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/application-analysis/?ts=markdown), [Malware](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/malware-2/?ts=markdown), [Mobility](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/mobility/?ts=markdown), [Threat Advisories - Advisories](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/threat-advisories-advisories/?ts=markdown), [Threat Prevention](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/threat-prevention-2/?ts=markdown), [Unit 42](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/unit42/?ts=markdown) [#### Chinese Taomike Monetization Library Steals SMS Messages](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com.au/blog/2015/10/chinese-taomike-monetization-library-steals-sms-messages/) ### [Distributed Enterprise](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/distributed-enterprise/?ts=markdown), [Mobility](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/mobility/?ts=markdown), [Threat Prevention](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/threat-prevention-2/?ts=markdown) [#### Reusable Mobile App Libraries Introduce Reusable Security Issues](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com.au/blog/2014/07/reusable-mobile-app-libraries-introduce-reusable-security-issues/) ### [Unit 42](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/unit42/?ts=markdown) [#### Targeted Attacks in the Middle East Using KASPERAGENT and MICROPSIA](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com.au/blog/2017/04/unit42-targeted-attacks-middle-east-using-kasperagent-micropsia/) ### [Endpoint](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/endpoint-2/?ts=markdown), [Threat Prevention](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/threat-prevention-2/?ts=markdown) [#### Traps Spies FINSPY With Its Eye ... and Prevents It](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com.au/blog/2017/09/traps-spies-finspy-eye-prevents/) ### [Threat Brief](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/threat-brief/?ts=markdown), [Unit 42](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/unit42/?ts=markdown) [#### Threat Brief: Patch Today and Don't Get Burned by an Android Toast Overlay](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com.au/blog/2017/09/unit42-threat-brief-patch-today-dont-get-burned-android-toast-overlay-attack/) ### [Unit 42](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/unit42/?ts=markdown) [#### SpyDealer: Android Trojan Spying on More Than 40 Apps](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com.au/blog/2017/07/unit42-spydealer-android-trojan-spying-40-apps/) ### Subscribe to the Blog! 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