GINC-APT-0667 · Tracked, unattributed

ChainedShark

Also Actor240820.

Category
Tracked, unattributed · A vendor’s working cluster, not yet attributed.
Origin
Unknown
Sources
3 sources carry it
Identifier
GINC-APT-0667 · chainedshark

What it is

ChainedShark is an APT group targeting China's scientific research sector, particularly professionals in international relations and marine technology, with the intent to steal sensitive data. The group employs advanced techniques, including executable file reconstruction to create fragmented shellcode, and utilizes social engineering tactics to exploit professional scenarios for deceptive attacks. ChainedShark demonstrates a high level of technical sophistication, integrating N-day vulnerability exploits and custom trojans within meticulously designed attack chains. Its operations reflect a mature attack infrastructure and a clear evolutionary trajectory in tactics and execution.

Names

The names each vendor, agency and source gives it. Naming differs by who tracks the actor, so one group carries many.

Other names
Actor240820

Tools

The tools and malware families the sources tie to it.

  • China Chopper
  • SharK
  • Trojan.Karagany
  • Trojan.Mebromi
  • Xploit

Sources

  • Malpedia malpedia.caad.fkie.fraunhofer.de