Dark Web Profile: Patchwork APT – SOCRadar

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The Patchwork APT group, identified in December 2015 but probably active since 2009, is a cyber espionage entity suspected to be based in India. It targets a variety of high-profile entities, including government, defense, and diplomatic organizations, primarily in South and Southeast Asia, but has also expanded its operations to other regions. Known for utilizing spear phishing and watering hole attacks, Patchwork employs a range of custom tools and techniques for espionage, making it a significant threat in the cyber threat landscape.

Threat Actor Card, Patchwork APT
The Patchwork APT group, also identified under various aliases such as Dropping Elephant and Quilted Tiger or Viceroy Tiger, emerged in December 2015. Originating from India, Patchwork focuses on cyber espionage, targeting diplomatic and economic sectors with ties to China. Utilizing a blend of spear phishing and watering hole attacks, this group demonstrates a keen interest in intelligence gathering from multiple high-profile international targets. Their sophisticated cyber operations underscore the evolving landscape of global cyber threats and the necessity for vigilant cybersecurity defenses.

Image depicting Patchwork APT, created with Dall-E powered Bing AI Image Creation
Since its first detection in 2015, the Patchwork APT group has evolved from using rudimentary tactics to employing sophisticated cyber espionage strategies. Initially focusing on targets in South and Southeast Asia, the group expanded its operations globally, targeting entities in Europe and North America. Patchwork’s modus operandi includes leveraging spear phishing and watering hole attacks and exploiting malware distribution vulnerabilities.
Patchwork APT focuses on government, defense, diplomatic entities, and academic institutions across South and Southeast Asia, extending to Europe and North America. Their operations have even notably targeted US think tanks and individuals involved in Chinese foreign relations, showcasing a strategic interest in geopolitical dynamics. The most targeted sectors of Patchwork’s cyber intrusions are Aviation, Defense, Energy, Financial, Government, IT, Media, NGOs, Pharmaceutical, and Think Tanks.

Target Countries of Patchwork APT (SOCRadar)
Therefore, Patchwork APT strategically targets high-profile diplomats and economists engaged in foreign relations with China, utilizing a custom set of cyber tools for espionage. The group’s operations extend to several countries, including Pakistan, Sri-Lanka, Uruguay, Bangladesh, Taiwan, Australia, and the US. 2018 dated campaigns of Patchwork, focusing on think tank groups in the US also drew attention to the group. This pattern of targeting reveals Patchwork’s interest in gathering intelligence on international diplomatic and economic policies and strategies.
Patchwork APT employs spear phishing and watering hole attacks as primary vectors for infiltration. Spear phishing campaigns are meticulously crafted to target specific individuals within the organizations of interest, often leveraging social engineering techniques to deceive recipients into opening malicious attachments or clicking on compromised links.
Watering hole attacks involve compromising legitimate websites frequented by the group’s targets, aiming to exploit vulnerabilities in their web browsers or other software to deliver malware. These methods showcase Patchwork’s adaptability and focus on using human and system vulnerabilities to achieve their objectives.

Vulnerability card of CVE-2017-0261 (SOCRadar)
In a cyber attack in 2021, a malicious Microsoft document exploited CVE-2017-0261, a vulnerability enabling remote code execution by improperly handling objects in memory. Analysis of the EPS script within the document revealed sophisticated mechanisms for dropping and executing Patchwork’s payloads, notably a custom keylogger identified by its unique SHA-256 hash.

Recorded CVE Exploits of Patchwork APT
Of course, their arsenal goes way beyond a Microsoft document; Patchwork APT’s arsenal includes malware like the BADNEWS RAT and VajraSpy, an Android-targeted RAT. Their techniques for maintaining access and exfiltrating data demonstrate advanced capabilities in utilizing vulnerabilities, social engineering, and encryption for stealthy operations.
Most recently, ESET researchers uncovered a sophisticated espionage campaign conducted by the Patchwork APT group, involving twelve Android apps bundled with VajraSpy, a remote access trojan (RAT). Six apps were on Google Play, and six were on other platforms. The apps, disguised as messaging tools, targeted users primarily in Pakistan, employing honey-trap romance scams to lure victims into downloading the malware. The campaign, which utilized Firebase Hosting for command and control servers, exfiltrated various data, including contacts and messages. Despite being removed from Google Play, the apps reached over 1,400 installs. Weak operational security exposed 148 compromised devices, mostly in Pakistan and India.

Associated Malware with Patchwork APT in SOCRadar Platform
The Patchwork APT group’s activities result in significant information theft and unauthorized remote access, posing risks to national security and intellectual property. Their targeted cyber espionage campaigns have broader geopolitical implications, influencing international relations and potentially destabilizing regional security dynamics.
In summary, it’s crucial to avoid clicking on unverified links, not to open untrusted email attachments, apply all available patches for vulnerabilities, keep security software updated, and implement rigorous patch management practices. Additionally, enhancing security measures through network and system hardening, alongside code hardening, can significantly reduce the risk of compromise.
To counter the sophisticated cyber espionage tactics employed by the Patchwork APT group further, organizations are also advised to adopt a proactive cybersecurity posture.

SOCRadar Threat Actor Page
SOCRadar’s Extended Threat Intelligence embodies an innovative advancement from conventional threat intelligence platforms, incorporating sophisticated functionalities that enhance threat detection and visibility significantly. This advanced solution employs robust machine learning technologies to scrutinize extensive volumes of threat data gathered from diverse open sources, social media platforms, and the dark web. Through the utilization of this holistic methodology, SOCRadar’s XTI empowers security teams to promptly discern and rank threats, furnishing them with proactive security measures.
For further IoCs about Patchwork APT, you may check the SOCRadar Platform.

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