Hacker backdoor aka CoolReaper built into Chinese smartphones

To everyone’s surprise, a hacker backdoor was built into the software of Coolpad smartphones. Coolpad is a Chinese smartphone manufacturer and it seems the OEM allowed for the introduction of a hacker backdoor in most, if not all, the devices they have sold to customers. Palo Alto Networks malware security firm discovered the hacker backdoor and immediately reported the issues, stating that the introduction of it was in no way accidental.

The hacker backdoor is dubbed the CoolReaper and allows for malignant people to infiltrate your phone and steal private data without the user noticing any difference. You might think the issues is secluded to China, but Coolpad sells smartphones in the US and the UK, as well, and Palo Alto Networks reported that the hacker backdoor aka CoolReaper affects these devices as well. CoolReaper actually allows hackers to take full control of any CoolPad device which has the hacker backdoor built in. We don’t know for sure which CoolPad models are affected, but CoolReaper was found in 24 different Coolpad models, which is disconcerting to say the least.

Since Coolpad is actually considered the sixth biggest smartphone producer in the world, the issues is worrisome and raises red flags, especially with the current situation with the North Korea hacking incident involving Sony Entertainment and The Interview movie. What the hacker backdoor actually does is allow anybody to be able to install and run software on the affected smartphone, without the user’s consent. Palo Alto Networks estimates that more than 10 million Coolpad users are affected by the issue. If you think that a good antivirus software might rid you of the hacker backdoor, try it out, but the security firm says that CoolReaper is hidden from security programs, the Android OS on the phones being modified itself.

There are speculations that Coolpad didn’t install the hacker backdoor itself, but evidence points to the contrary. The server that is remotely controlling CoolReaper is owned by Coolpad, which incriminates the company. You can read about the hacker backdoor in the Palo Alto Networks report so that you can get some in-depth knowledge about what the flaw means for you, in case you own a Coolpad smartphone. Sadly, users can’t do much to limit what CoolReaper can do on their phones, unless they modify the OS or root their devices, installing another ROM.