Chinese Hacking Group Evasive Panda has recently intensified its cyber espionage efforts by deploying updated versions of the Macma macOS backdoor and the Nightdoor Windows malware. Symantec’s threat hunting team has observed these attacks targeting organizations in Taiwan and an American non-governmental organization (NGO) in China. In the latter instance, Evasive Panda, also known as ‘Daggerfly’ or ‘Bronze Highland,’ exploited a vulnerability in an Apache HTTP server to deliver an updated version of their modular malware framework, MgBot. This move indicates the group’s continuous effort to refine their tools and evade detection.
Evasive Panda, which has been active since at least 2012, is known for conducting both domestic and international espionage operations. Recent activities include using Tencent QQ software updates to infect NGO members in China with MgBot malware. These breaches appear to have been achieved through a supply chain or adversary-in-the-middle (AITM) attack, highlighting the sophistication and evolving nature of the threat actor’s tactics.
The new Macma variants, first documented by Google’s TAG in 2021 but previously not linked to specific threat groups, have shown ongoing development. Symantec reports that the latest Macma versions feature several enhancements, including new logic for collecting system file listings, modifications to the AudioRecorderHelper feature, and additional parametrization and debug logging. Notably, a new file named ‘param2.ini’ allows adjustments to screenshot size and aspect ratio. The link between Macma and Evasive Panda is evident, as the malware variants connect to a C2 IP address also used by the MgBot dropper, and both utilize a shared custom library for various platforms.
In addition to Macma, Evasive Panda’s toolkit includes Nightdoor, a Windows backdoor recently attributed to the group by ESET. This malware connects to OneDrive to fetch legitimate applications and DLL files, which facilitate persistence and final payload loading. Nightdoor employs anti-VM code and uses ‘cmd.exe’ for interacting with C2 servers. Symantec also reports that Evasive Panda has deployed trojanized Android APKs, SMS and DNS request interception tools, and malware targeting obscure Solaris OS systems, showcasing the group’s broad and evolving attack capabilities.
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