Red Teaming with Accessibility Exploits on Android

Accessibility Services on Android were designed to assist users with disabilities, but they also offer a powerful vector for red team operators. With the right permissions, an app can observe keystrokes, control UI elements, and even grant itself elevated access.

Common Use Cases in RATs:

• Keystroke Logging: Monitoring user input across apps without rooting.
• App Launch Monitoring: Triggering RAT activity based on target app launches.
• Auto-Clicking: Simulating taps to grant permissions or access secure content.

Despite recent Android security improvements, many users still grant Accessibility permissions unwittingly. For red teamers, it remains a viable and potent method to simulate real-world threats in a controlled and ethical manner.