Patchwork - G0040

Created: 2017-05-31T21:32:07.145Z

Modified: 2023-03-22T05:08:20.780Z

Contributors:

Aliases

Patchwork,Hangover Group,Dropping Elephant,Chinastrats,MONSOON,Operation Hangover

Description

Patchwork is a cyber espionage group that was first observed in December 2015. While the group has not been definitively attributed, circumstantial evidence suggests the group may be a pro-Indian or Indian entity. Patchwork has been seen targeting industries related to diplomatic and government agencies. Much of the code used by this group was copied and pasted from online forums. Patchwork was also seen operating spearphishing campaigns targeting U.S. think tank groups in March and April of 2018.(Citation: Cymmetria Patchwork) (Citation: Symantec Patchwork)(Citation: TrendMicro Patchwork Dec 2017)(Citation: Volexity Patchwork June 2018)

Techniques Used

Patchwork has used embedded image tags (known as web bugs) with unique, per-recipient tracking links in their emails for the purpose of identifying which recipients opened messages.(Citation: Volexity Patchwork June 2018)|
|mitre-attack|enterprise-attack|PRE|T1588.002|Tool|

Patchwork has obtained and used open-source tools such as

QuasarRAT.(Citation: Volexity Patchwork June 2018)|
|mitre-attack|enterprise-attack|PRE|T1587.002|Code Signing Certificates|

Patchwork has created self-signed certificates from fictitious and spoofed legitimate software companies that were later used to sign malware.(Citation: Unit 42 BackConfig May 2020)|
|mitre-attack|enterprise-attack|Linux,macOS,Windows|T1204.001|Malicious Link|