How to Detect Mobile Remote Access Trojans in Android Apps

Last updated January 30, 2025 by Appdome

This Knowledge Base article describes how to use Appdome’s AI/ML in your CI/CD pipeline to continuously deliver plugins that Detect Mobile Remote Access Trojan in Android apps.

What are Mobile Remote Access Trojans?

A Mobile Remote Access Trojan (RAT) is a type of malware that allows attackers to gain full control over an infected mobile device remotely. Once installed—often disguised as a legitimate app—RATs operate stealthily in the background, giving cybercriminals unauthorized access to sensitive data, device functions, and user communications. Attackers can use RATs to record keystrokes, steal credentials, spy on users via the microphone or camera, exfiltrate SMS messages, access banking apps, and execute fraudulent transactions in real time.

For example, SpyNote, a widely used Android RAT, disguises itself as popular apps to trick users into granting permissions. Once installed, it enables attackers to intercept messages, access GPS location, and even activate the device’s microphone or camera remotely. Similarly, AndroRAT is an open-source RAT that allows attackers to control infected devices, extract sensitive data, and execute commands remotely, often without the victim’s knowledge.

RATs are especially dangerous because they bypass traditional security measures by leveraging system permissions, accessibility services, or rooting/jailbreaking exploits to gain deep access to the device. Some advanced RATs even evade detection by disabling security apps, hiding in system directories, or dynamically modifying their behavior to avoid triggering security alerts. Most RATs, including SpyNote and AndroRAT, also establish communications with Command and Control (C&C or C2) servers to receive instructions from attackers and exfiltrate stolen data.

 

How Does Appdome Protect Android Apps from Remote Access Trojans?

Appdome’s dynamic Detect Mobile Remote Access Trojans (RAT) plugin defends Android and iOS apps against mobile RATs by detecting and blocking malicious remote control attempts in real time. The dynamic Detect RATs plugin continuously monitors app behavior, preventing unauthorized remote access, keylogging, screen recording, and data exfiltration techniques used by RAT malware. Additionally, when customers build Detect Mobile Remote Access Trojans (RAT) into their apps, it also comes with protections against Accessibility Services Malware, which abuse Android’s AccessibilityService to intercept sensitive user inputs, capture passwords and 2FA codes, take screenshots, and simulate fraudulent user actions.

Additionally, Appdome’s anti-RAT defenses also protect against remote desktop exploits, which prevents mobile apps from being controlled remotely by attackers.

By using continuous and active monitoring to detect anomalies—such as unauthorized remote connections, accessibility service abuse, or suspicious background processes attempting to manipulate the app—Appdome prevents RATs from executing successful attacks. If a RAT like SpyNote or AndroRAT attempts to intercept authentication flows or exfiltrate user credentials, Appdome’s protections detect the threat and block malicious activity before it can compromise the app or its users.

Additionally, Appdome’s Threat-Events™ provides real-time telemetry on RAT-related threats, enabling mobile developers and security teams to take proactive action, such as terminating compromised sessions or alerting users to suspicious activity. By seamlessly integrating into CI/CD pipelines with no code or SDKs required, Appdome ensures continuous protection against RAT-based attacks while preserving the app’s performance and user experience.

 

 

Prerequisites for Using Appdome's Detect Mobile Remote Access Trojan Plugins:

To use Appdome’s mobile app security build system to Detect Mobile Remote Access Trojan , you’ll need:

How to Implement Detect Mobile Remote Access Trojan in Android Apps Using Appdome

On Appdome, follow these 3 simple steps to create self-defending Android Apps that Detect Mobile Remote Access Trojan without an SDK or gateway:

  1. Designate the Mobile App to be protected.

    1. Upload an app via the Appdome Mobile Defense platform GUI or via Appdome’s DEV-API or CI/CD Plugins.

    2. Android Formats: .apk or .aab
    3. Detect Mobile Remote Access Trojan is compatible with: Java, JS, C++, C#, Kotlin, Flutter, React Native, Unity, Xamarin, Cordova and other Android apps.
  2. Select the defense: Detect Mobile Remote Access Trojan.

      1. Create and name the Fusion Set (security template) that will contain the Detect Mobile Remote Access Trojan feature as shown below:
        fusion set that contains Detect Mobile Remote Access Trojan

        Figure 1: Fusion Set that will contain the Detect Mobile Remote Access Trojan feature

      2. Follow the steps in Sections 2.2-2.2.2 of this article to add the Detect Mobile Remote Access Trojan feature to your Fusion Set via the Appdome Console.

      3. When you enable Detect Bank Trojan Apps you'll notice that the Fusion Set you created in step 2.1 now bears the icon of the protection category that contains Detect Mobile Remote Access Trojan.

        Fusion Set applied Detect Mobile Remote Access Trojan

        Figure 2: Fusion Set that displays the newly added Detect Mobile Remote Access Trojan protection
        Note: Annotating the Fusion Set to identify the protection(s) selected is optional only (not mandatory).

      4. Open the Fusion Set Detail Summary by clicking the “...” symbol on the far-right corner of the Fusion Set. Copy the Fusion Set ID from the Fusion Set Detail Summary (as shown below): fusion Set Detail Summary image

        Figure 3: Fusion Set Detail Summary

      5. Follow the instructions below to use the Fusion Set ID inside any standard mobile DevOps or CI/CD toolkit like Bitrise, Jenkins, Travis, Team City, Circle CI or other system:
        1. Refer to the Appdome API Reference Guide for API building instructions.
        2. Look for sample APIs in Appdome’s GitHub Repository.
    1. Add the Detect Mobile Remote Access Trojan feature to your security template.

      1. Navigate to Build > Anti ATO tab > Android Trojans section in the Appdome Console.
      2. Toggle On Detect Bank Trojan Apps > Detect Mobile Remote Access Trojan.

        (a) Choose to monitor this attack vector by checking the Threat Events checkbox associated with Detect Mobile Remote Access Trojan as shown below.

        (b) To receive mobile Threat Monitoring, check the ThreatScope™ box as shown below. For more details, see our knowledge base article on ThreatScope™ Mobile XDR.
        Detect Mobile Remote Access Trojan option

        Figure 4: Selecting Detect Mobile Remote Access Trojan

        Note: The Appdome Platform displays the Mobile Operation Systems supported by each defense in real-time. For more details, see our OS Support Policy KB.

      3. Select the Threat-Event™ in-app mobile Threat Defense and Intelligence policy for Detect Mobile Remote Access Trojan:
        1. Threat-Events™ OFF > In-App Defense

          If the Threat-Events™ setting is not selected. Appdome will detect and defend the user and app by enforcing Mobile Remote Access Trojan.

        2. Threat-Events™ ON > In-App Detection

          When this setting is used, Appdome detects remote access trojans and passes Appdome’s Threat-Event™ attack intelligence to the app’s business logic for processing, enforcement, and user notification. For more information on consuming and using Appdome Threat-Events™ in the app, see section Using Threat-Events™ to Detect Mobile Remote Access TrojanDetect Intelligence and Control in Mobile Apps.

        3. Threat-Events™ ON > In-App Defense

          When this setting is used, Appdome detects and defends against Mobile Remote Access Trojan (same as Appdome Enforce) and passes Appdome’s Threat-Event™ attack intelligence to the app’s business logic for processing. For more information on consuming and using Appdome Threat-Events™ in the app, see section Using Threat-Events™ for Detect Mobile Remote Access TrojanDetect Intelligence and Control in Mobile Apps.

      4. Configure the User Experience Options for Detect Mobile Remote Access Trojan:
        With Threat-Events™ OFF, Appdome provides several user experience options for mobile brands and developers.
        1. App Compromise Notification: Customize the pop-up or toast Appdome uses to notify the user when a threat is present while using the protected mobile app.
        2. Short message Option. This is available for mobile devices that allow a banner notification for security events.
        3. Localized Message Option. Allows Appdome users to support global languages in security notifications.

          Localized Message

          Figure 5: Default User Experience Options for Appdome’s Mobile Remote Access Trojan

        4. Detect Mobile Remote Access Trojan Threat Code™. Appdome uses AI/ML to generate a unique code each time Detect Mobile Remote Access Trojan is triggered by an active threat on the mobile device. Use the code in Appdome Threat Resolution Center™ to help end users identify, find and resolve active threats on the personal mobile devices.
    2. Initiate the build command either by clicking Build My App at the bottom of the Build Workflow (shown in Figure 4) or via your CI/CD as described in Section 2.1.4.
    Congratulations!  The Detect Mobile Remote Access Trojan protection is now added to the mobile app
  3. Certify the Detect Mobile Remote Access Trojan feature in Android Apps

    After building Detect Mobile Remote Access Trojan, Appdome generates a Certified Secure™ certificate to guarantee that the Detect Mobile Remote Access Trojan protection has been added and is protecting the app. To verify that the Detect Mobile Remote Access Trojan protection has been added to the mobile app, locate the protection in the Certified Secure™ certificate as shown below: Detect Mobile Remote Access Trojan shown in Certificate secure

    Figure 6: Certified Secure™ certificate

    Each Certified Secure™ certificate provides DevOps and DevSecOps organizations the entire workflow summary, audit trail of each build, and proof of protection that Detect Mobile Remote Access Trojan has been added to each Android app. Certified Secure provides instant and in-line DevSecOps compliance certification that Detect Mobile Remote Access Trojan and other mobile app security features are in each build of the mobile app.

Using Threat-Events™ for Mobile Remote Access Trojan Intelligence and Control in Android Apps

Appdome Threat-Events™ provides consumable in-app mobile app attack intelligence and defense control when Mobile Remote Access Trojan is detected. To consume and use Threat-Events™ for Mobile Remote Access Trojan in Android Apps, use registerReceiver in the Application OnCreate, and the code samples for Threat-Events™ for Mobile Remote Access Trojan shown below.

The specifications and options for Threat-Events™ for Mobile Remote Access Trojan are:

 

 

 

 

Threat-Event™ Elements Detect Mobile Remote Access Trojan Method Detail
Appdome Feature Name Detect Mobile Remote Access Trojan
Threat-Event Mode
OFF, IN-APP DEFENSE Appdome detects, defends and notifies user (standard OS dialog) using customizable messaging.
ON, IN-APP DETECTION Appdome detects the attack or threat and passes the event in a standard format to the app for processing (app chooses how and when to enforce).
ON, IN-APP DEFENSE Uses Appdome Enforce mode for any attack or threat and passes the event in a standard format to the app for processing (gather intel on attacks and threats without losing any protection).
Certified Secure™ Threat Event Check
Visible in ThreatScope™
Developer Parameters for Detecting Mobile Remote Access Trojan Threat-Event™
Threat-Event NAME insert threat event name
Threat-Event DATA reasonData
Threat-Event CODE reasonCode
Threat-Event REF 6801
Threat-Event SCORE
currentThreatEventScore Current Threat-Event score
threatEventsScore Total Threat-events score
Threat-Event Context Keys
message Message displayed for the user on event
failSafeEnforce Timed enforcement against the identified threat
externalID The external ID of the event which can be listened via Threat Events
osVersion OS version of the current device
deviceModel Current device model
deviceManufacturer The manufacturer of the current device
fusedAppToken The task ID of the Appdome fusion of the currently running app
kernelInfo Info about the kernel: system name, node name, release, version and machine.
carrierPlmn PLMN of the device. Only available for Android devices.
deviceID Current device ID
reasonCode Reason code of the occurred event
buildDate Appdome fusion date of the current application
devicePlatform OS name of the current device
carrierName Carrier name of the current device. Only available for Android.
updatedOSVersion Is the OS version up to date
deviceBrand Brand of the device
deviceBoard Board of the device
buildUser Build user
buildHost Build host
sdkVersion Sdk version
timeZone Time zone
deviceFaceDown Is the device face down
locationLong Location longitude conditioned by location permission
locationLat Location latitude conditioned by location permission
locationState Location state conditioned by location permission
wifiSsid Wifi SSID
wifiSsidPermissionStatus Wifi SSID permission status
threatCode The last six characters of the threat code specify the OS, allowing the Threat Resolution Center to address the attack on the affected device.

With Threat-Events™ enabled (turned ON), Android developers can get detailed attack intelligence and granular defense control in Android applications and create amazing user experiences for all mobile end users when Mobile Remote Access Trojan is detected.


The following is a code sample for native Android apps, which uses all values in the specification above for Detect Mobile Remote Access Trojan:


Important! Replace all placeholder instances of <Context Key> with the specific name of your threat event context key across all language examples. This is crucial to ensure your code functions correctly with the intended event data. For example, The <Context Key> could be the message, externalID, OS Version, reason code, etc.



Using Appdome, there are no development or coding prerequisites to build secured Apps by using Detect Mobile Remote Access Trojan. There is no SDK and no library to code or implement in the app and no gateway to deploy in your network. All protections are built into each app and the resulting app is self-defending and self-protecting.

Releasing and Publishing Mobile Apps with Detect Mobile Remote Access Trojan

After successfully securing your app by using Appdome, there are several available options to complete your project, depending on your app lifecycle or workflow. These include:

Related Articles:

 

How Do I Learn More?

If you have any questions, please send them our way at support.appdome.com or via the chat window on the Appdome platform.

Thank you!

Thanks for visiting Appdome! Our mission is to secure every app on the planet by making mobile app security easy. We hope we’re living up to the mission with your project.

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