Godless Android malware is a sophisticated malware that has the ability to receive remote commands to download and install applications on mobile devices, without the user's knowledge. It has a command and control (C&C) center.
So the malware can easily serve malicious ads, but considering the number of infected devices (nearly a million) connected to 4G LTE networks it can also provide serious firepower for a botnet.
According to Verizon, 4G LTE download speeds are between 5-12 Mbps while upload speeds are between 2-5 Mbps. Today, Android and other smartphones have access to 4G connections that offer more bandwidth than most people have in their homes or businesses.
Doing the math, a million devices accessing 2-5 Mbps for data uploads could theoretically generate 2 to 5 terabits of traffic per second. Just imagine that traffic being directed at a DDoS attack.
Botnet creators who are dedicated to DDoS attacks are constantly looking for new ways to increase the impact of their attacks. Botnets made up of Android devices are a reality and a pretty scary concept, but their creators have gone even further than just mobile devices. For example, alarm systems, televisions, or any other device running Android could become part of a botnet.
All an attacker would have to do is figure out a way to plant malicious code (which could be in the form of an app) on one of these Android devices, opening the way for the devices to communicate with command and control centers needed to launch “coordinated” DDoS attacks. Of course, the Godless Android malware (or other widely used malware) could give the attacker the opportunity to carry out such attacks.
So the Godless Android malware that has the ability to remotely root the device, not only could use mobile devices for DDoS attacks, but it could also affect any device connected to a 4G LTE network, such as home alarm systems, emergency services, etc.
Unfortunately for those who don't like horror stories, this scenario could very easily become a reality and the mobile industry should be ready to provide the appropriate defense.
