AFP arrests man over alleged creation and sale of 'Firebird' RAT

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) has arrested a man for allegedly developing a remote access trojan (RAT) and selling it on a hacking forum. 

The Australian man was arrested by the AFP on April 11 and will appear at Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court on May 7 charged with 12 counts of computer offences related to the RAT known as ‘Firebird’. 

The RAT enables users to remotely access and control a person’s device without their knowledge.

The accused allegedly developed and sold ‘Firebird’ to customers on a hacking forum alongside a Los Angeles-based man, who was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on April 11. 

According to the AFP, the Australian man was charged with 10 counts to supply data with intent to commit a computer offence, nine of which were in partnership with the US man. 

He was also charged with one count of producing data with intent to commit a computer offence and one count of controlling data with intent to commit a computer offence. 

Each offence carries the maximum sentence of three years. 

Meanwhile, the co-accused was charged with one count of conspiracy and one count of advertising a device as an interception device.

iTnews has reached out to the AFP for further details about the Australian accused and his alleged offences, plus whether further arrests are anticipated. 

In a police statement, AFP acting commander cybercrime Sue Evans described RATs as one of the “most harmful cyber threats” online. 

“Once installed onto a device, a RAT can provide criminals with full access to, and control of the device,” she said.

“This could include anything from committing crimes anonymously, watching victims through camera devices, wiping hard drives, or stealing banking credentials and other sensitive information.” 

The AFP said it begun the investigation in 2020 and received significant assistance from the FBI. 

The AFP also worked with the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions (CDPP), the FBI and the US Attorney's Office for the Central District of California.