GINC-APT-0464 · State

TheWizards

Category
State · Attributed to a state or working for one.
Origin
China(high confidence)
Motivation
Information theft and espionage
Seen
2022
Sources
5 sources carry it
Identifier
GINC-APT-0464 · thewizards

What it is

TheWizards is a China-aligned APT group that employs the Spellbinder tool for adversary-in-the-middle attacks, utilizing IPv6 SLAAC spoofing to redirect legitimate software updates to malicious servers. They have developed the WizardNet backdoor for Windows and serve DarkNights to Android applications, indicating a connection to Dianke Network Security Technology. The group targets individuals and companies in the Philippines, Cambodia, the UAE, mainland China, and Hong Kong. ESET has observed their infrastructure and tools, including the acquisition of servers for hosting C&C and malicious updates.

Attribution

Each attribution is a claim: who makes it, and to whom. Western and Eastern sources are kept apart, as they often disagree.

Targets

Countries
Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Philippines, United Arab Emirates

Tools

The tools and malware families the sources tie to it.

  • Androrat
  • Backdoor.Oldrea
  • China Chopper
  • Darknet RAT
  • DroidJack
  • Spellbinder
  • Windows Remote Desktop
  • WizardNet

Sources