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Shifting in the Wind: WINDSHIFT Attacks Target Middle Eastern Governments ![Clock Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-clock.svg) 4 min read Related Products [![Advanced WildFire icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/strata_RGB_logo_Icon_Color.png)Advanced WildFire](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/product-category/advanced-wildfire/ "Advanced WildFire") * ![Profile Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-profile-grey.svg) By: * ![Published Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-calendar-grey.svg) Published:February 21, 2019 * ![Tags Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-category.svg) Categories: * [Malware](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/malware/) * [Nation-State Cyberattacks](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/nation-state-cyberattacks/) * [Threat Actor Groups](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/threat-actor-groups/) * [Threat Research](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/threat-research/) * ![Tags Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-tags-grey.svg) Tags: * [Mac](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/mac/) * [MacOS](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/macos/) * [Middle East](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/middle-east/) * [WINDSHIFT](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/windshift/) * [![Download Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-download.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/shifting-in-the-wind-windshift-attacks-target-middle-eastern-governments/?pdf=download&lg=en&_wpnonce=ac4b3be3b8 "Click here to download") * [![Print Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-print.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/shifting-in-the-wind-windshift-attacks-target-middle-eastern-governments/?pdf=print&lg=en&_wpnonce=ac4b3be3b8 "Click here to print") Share![Down arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/down-arrow.svg) * ![Link Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-share-link.svg) * [![Link Email](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-sms.svg)](mailto:?subject=Shifting%20in%20the%20Wind:%20WINDSHIFT%20Attacks%20Target%20Middle%20Eastern%20Governments&body=Check%20out%20this%20article%20https%3A%2F%2Funit42.paloaltonetworks.com%2Fshifting-in-the-wind-windshift-attacks-target-middle-eastern-governments%2F "Share in email") * [![Facebook Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-fb-share.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Funit42.paloaltonetworks.com%2Fshifting-in-the-wind-windshift-attacks-target-middle-eastern-governments%2F "Share in Facebook") * [![LinkedIn Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-linkedin-share.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Funit42.paloaltonetworks.com%2Fshifting-in-the-wind-windshift-attacks-target-middle-eastern-governments%2F&title=Shifting%20in%20the%20Wind:%20WINDSHIFT%20Attacks%20Target%20Middle%20Eastern%20Governments "Share in LinkedIn") * [![Twitter Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-twitter-share.svg)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Funit42.paloaltonetworks.com%2Fshifting-in-the-wind-windshift-attacks-target-middle-eastern-governments%2F&text=Shifting%20in%20the%20Wind:%20WINDSHIFT%20Attacks%20Target%20Middle%20Eastern%20Governments "Share in Twitter") * [![Reddit Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-reddit-share.svg)](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com//www.reddit.com/submit?url=https%3A%2F%2Funit42.paloaltonetworks.com%2Fshifting-in-the-wind-windshift-attacks-target-middle-eastern-governments%2F&ts=markdown "Share in Reddit") * [![Mastodon Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-mastodon-share.svg)](https://mastodon.social/share?text=Shifting%20in%20the%20Wind:%20WINDSHIFT%20Attacks%20Target%20Middle%20Eastern%20Governments%20https%3A%2F%2Funit42.paloaltonetworks.com%2Fshifting-in-the-wind-windshift-attacks-target-middle-eastern-governments%2F "Share in Mastodon") ## **Executive Summary** In August of 2018, DarkMatter released a report entitled "[In the Trails of WINDSHIFT APT](https://gsec.hitb.org/materials/sg2018/D1%20COMMSEC%20-%20In%20the%20Trails%20of%20WINDSHIFT%20APT%20-%20Taha%20Karim.pdf)", which unveiled a threat actor with TTPs very similar to those of Bahamut. Subsequently, two additional articles ([here](https://objective-see.com/blog/blog_0x3B.html) and [here](https://objective-see.com/blog/blog_0x3D.html)) were released by Objective-See which provide an analysis of some validated WINDSHIFT samples targeting OSX systems. Pivoting on specific file attributes and infrastructure indicators, Unit 42 was able to identify and correlate additional attacker activity and can now provide specific details on a targeted WINDSHIFT attack as it unfolded at a Middle Eastern government agency. ## **Summary of Aggregated WINDSHIFT Attacker Activity** The following timeline summarizes validated WINDSHIFT activity through June of 2018. [![](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Figure-1-Known-WINDSHIFT-activity-across-main-disclosure-sources..jpg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Figure-1-Known-WINDSHIFT-activity-across-main-disclosure-sources..jpg) *Figure 1: Known WINDSHIFT activity across main disclosure sources.* As shown within the timeline above, the WINDSHIFT activity observed by Unit 42 falls between January and May of 2018. ## **Middle Eastern Government Agency Attack Timeline** The following is a summary of observed WINDSHIFT activity which targeted a Middle Eastern government agency: [![](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Figure-2-Unit-42-Observed-WINDSHIFT-samples..jpg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Figure-2-Unit-42-Observed-WINDSHIFT-samples..jpg) *Figure 2: Unit 42 Observed WINDSHIFT samples.* The first attack occurred in early January of 2018 with an inbound WINDTAIL sample (the backdoor family used by WINDSHIFT) originating from the remote IP address 109.235.51\[.\]110 to a single internal IP address within the government agency. As per the timeline in Figure 2, at the time this event occurred, the IP address 109.235.51\[.\]110 was associated with the domain flux2key\[.\]com, a known WINDSHIFT domain. Upon further analysis, Unit 42 determined the sample's corresponding C2 server IP address was 109.235.51\[.\]153. At the time this event occurred, that IP was associated with the domain string2me\[.\]com, which is a known WINDSHIFT domain. While Unit 42 does not have any insight into the attempted infection methodology in this case, the actor's TTPs would suggest that spearphishing was almost certainly involved. After the initial infection attempt, several additional WINDTAIL samples from the same external IP address, 109.235.51\[.\]110, were directed at the same internal IP address from January through May of 2018 (see Figure 2 for additional details). All related WINDTAIL samples were Mac OSX app bundles in zip archives, which is consistent with WINDSHIFT TTPS. One sample in particular, named "mcworker.zip" (SHA256: e0fdcb5e0215f9fae485fbfcd615c79b85806827e461bca2e1c00c82e83281dc) deserves particular attention. Upon further analysis, Unit 42 determined its C2 server IP address was 185.25.50\[.\]189. According to OSINT, at the time of the activity, the IP address 185.25.50\[.\]189 had one domain resolution: domforworld\[.\]com. ## **Conclusion** By analyzing this attack in detail, Unit 42 was able to gain valuable insight into the real-world TTPs of a known threat actor group. Of particular importance are the following findings: * Unit 42 assesses with high confidence that both the IP address 185.25.50\[.\]189 and the domain domforworld\[.\]com is associated with WINDSHIFT activity. Additionally, the IP addresses 109.235.51\[.\]110 and 109.235.51\[.\]153, corresponding to the previously validated WINDSHIFT domains flux2key\[.\]com and string2me\[.\]com, respectively, were also observed in use during this campaign. * The attacker-owned IP address 109.235.50\[.\]191 was subsequently identified in a Norman Security [report](https://www.thecre.com/fnews/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Unveiling_an_Indian_Cyberattack_Infrastructure.pdf) from as being associated with Hangover threat actor activity, and both IP addresses 109.235.51\[.\]110 and 109.235.50\[.\]191 shared the name "XENEUROPE" within their organizational registrant WHOIS information. This organizational name is tied to a number of IP addresses of Hangover-associated infrastructure as per the Norman report. Collectively, this evidence serves to strengthen the implication from other security researchers that Operation Hangover and WINDSHIFT activity are possibly related. * Based on Unit 42's observations of multiple inbound WINDTAIL samples directed at the same internal IP address, Unit 42 assesses with moderate confidence that the attackers were not able to establish persistence within the targeted environment. While Unit 42 cannot definitively determine the attempted delivery vector of these samples, WINDTAIL TTPs would indicate that it was likely standard spearphishing chicanery. * One of two of the Mac OSX developer certificates tied to the WINDTAIL samples shown in DarkMatter's original presentation, Caren Van (4F9G49SUXB), was also tied to the WINDTAIL samples within this blog. Additionally, a newly identified certificate, warren portman (95RKE2AA8F), was found to be directly affiliated with WINDSHIFT malware. Palo Alto Networks customers are protected from this threat in the following ways: * AutoFocus customers can track these samples with the [Windshift tag](https://autofocus.paloaltonetworks.com/#/tag/Unit42.Windshift). * WildFire detects all files mentioned in this report with malicious verdicts. ## IOCs ### Infrastructure: |---------------------|--------------------| | **Domain** | **IP Address** | | flux2key\[.\]com | 109.235.51\[.\]110 | | string2me\[.\]com | 109.235.51\[.\]153 | | domforworld\[.\]com | 185.25.50\[.\]189 | ### File Hashes: |------------------|---------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------| | **File Name(s)** | **Apple Developer Certificate** | **SHA-256** | | trusted.zip | Caren Van (4F9G49SUXB) | ce8e01373499b539f4746c0e68c850357476abe36b12834f507f9ba19af3d4f9 | | mcworker.zip | Caren Van (4F9G49SUXB) | e0fdcb5e0215f9fae485fbfcd615c79b85806827e461bca2e1c00c82e83281dc | | keybaged.zip | Caren Van (4F9G49SUXB) | 1fbfbaefd50627796e7f16b8cc2b81ffbc5effcb33b64cc8e349e44b5d5d3ee8 | | trustb.zip | Caren Van (4F9G49SUXB) | 1de218e45cdf069c10d1a8735d82688b8964261a5efe3b6560e0fdcfa3c44c1d | | frd.zip | Caren Van (4F9G49SUXB) | dd0e0883392ffe8c72c4b13f58e5861fc2f4bc518a6abea4f81ae3a44b2eda1c | | smdd.zip | Caren Van (4F9G49SUXB) | e2a5663584727efa396c319f7f99a12205bb05c9c678ffae130e9f86667505a6 | | logd.zip | Caren Van (4F9G49SUXB) | ffae55894f0f31d99105b5b7bbbca79e9c1019b37b7a5a20368f50c173352fd1 | | logd.zip | Caren Van (4F9G49SUXB) | cb3068ee887fc2f66d3df886421d5e5fa5e31ec4ee0079a7dcf9628bd2730de0 | | lsd.zip | Caren Van (4F9G49SUXB) | 0c0fce879c8ca00a6f9feeaccf6cba64374e508cacd664682e794a4a4cc64ffb | | tootoo.zip | warren portman (95RKE2AA8F) | 8c8b53f4d4836bd7d4574fe80039caf9f2bd4d75740f2e8e22619064c830c6d9 | Palo Alto Networks has shared our findings, including file samples and indicators of compromise, in this report with our fellow Cyber Threat Alliance members. CTA members use this intelligence to rapidly deploy protections to their customers and to systematically disrupt malicious cyber actors. For more information on the Cyber Threat Alliance, visit [www.cyberthreatalliance.org](https://www.cyberthreatalliance.org). Back to top ### Tags * [Mac](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/mac/ "Mac") * [MacOS](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/macos/ "macOS") * [Middle East](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/middle-east/ "Middle East") * [WINDSHIFT](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/windshift/ "WINDSHIFT") [Threat Research Center](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com "Threat Research") [Next: Threat Brief: Understanding Domain Generation Algorithms (DGA)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/threat-brief-understanding-domain-generation-algorithms-dga/ "Threat Brief: Understanding Domain Generation Algorithms (DGA)") ### Table of Contents * ### Related Articles * [Atomic macOS (AMOS) Stealer Activity](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/atomic-macos-amos-stealer-activity/ "article - table of contents") * [Tracing Digital Intent: New MacOS Tahoe 26 Artifact Discovered](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/new-macos-artifact-discovered/ "article - table of contents") * [Operation FlutterBridge: macOS Malvertising Campaign Spreads New FlutterShell Backdoor](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/flutterbridge-new-fluttershell-backdoor/ "article - table of contents") ## Related Resources ![Pictorial representation of a magnifying glass illuminating a glowing orange circular digital circuit interface on a dark, high-tech background.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/04_Myth-Busting_Overview_1920x900-786x368.jpg) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Insights-icon-white.svg)Insights](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/insights/) September 16, 2026 [#### Atomic macOS (AMOS) Stealer Activity](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/atomic-macos-amos-stealer-activity/) * [MacOS](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/macos/ "macOS") * [Malware](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/malware/ "malware") * [Threat intelligence](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/threat-intelligence/ "threat intelligence") [Read now ![Right arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-right-arrow-withtail.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/atomic-macos-amos-stealer-activity/ "Atomic macOS (AMOS) Stealer Activity") ![Pictorial representation of post-exploitation identity misuse in SPIFFE/SPIRE. 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The background features lines of computer code and graphics, creating a sense of cybersecurity threat.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/07_Malware_Category_1920x900-3-786x368.jpg) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/icon-threat-research.svg)Threat Research](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/threat-research/) August 11, 2026 [#### Kimwolf v7: An Evolution of the Kimwolf Botnet](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/kimwolf-v7-botnet-malware/) * [Android APK](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/android-apk/ "Android APK") * [Ethereum](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/ethereum/ "Ethereum") * [HTTP](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/http/ "HTTP") [Read now ![Right arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-right-arrow-withtail.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/kimwolf-v7-botnet-malware/ "Kimwolf v7: An Evolution of the Kimwolf Botnet") ![Pictorial representatiom pf Aeternum's blockchain C2. A close-up of a computer circuit board with a central microchip is depicted. Red digital data streams in the form of glowing binary numbers and arrows appear to flow in and out of the chip. The scene is illuminated with a futuristic blue and red glow.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/04_Malware_Category_1920x900-4-786x368.jpg) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/icon-threat-research.svg)Threat Research](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/threat-research/) August 10, 2026 [#### The Permanent Threat: Analyzing Aeternum's Blockchain-Based C2 Operations and Communications](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/aeternum-blockchain-c2-analysis/) * [Aeternum](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/aeternum/ "Aeternum") * [Infection chain](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/infection-chain/ "infection chain") * [JSON](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/json/ "JSON") [Read now ![Right arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-right-arrow-withtail.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/aeternum-blockchain-c2-analysis/ "The Permanent Threat: Analyzing Aeternum’s Blockchain-Based C2 Operations and Communications") ![Pictorial representation of ChainDrop, a self-propagating npm worm. An artistic depiction of a digital workspace featuring an open laptop with a red virus on the screen.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/03_Malware_Category_1920x900-7-786x368.jpg) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/top-threats.svg)High Profile Threats](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/top-cyberthreats/) August 6, 2026 [#### ChainDrop: Inside a Self-Propagating npm Worm](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/chaindrop-npm-worm-analysis/) * [Blockchain](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/blockchain/ "blockchain") * [ChainDrop](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/chaindrop/ "ChainDrop") * [Claude code](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/claude-code/ "Claude code") [Read now ![Right arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-right-arrow-withtail.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/chaindrop-npm-worm-analysis/ "ChainDrop: Inside a Self-Propagating npm Worm") * ![Slider arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/slider-arrow-left.svg) * ![Slider arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/slider-arrow-left.svg) ![Close button](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/close-modal.svg) ![Enlarged Image]() ![Newsletter](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/unit42-footer-subscribe-desktop.png) ![UNIT 42 Small Logo](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/palo-alto-logo-small.svg) Get updates from Unit 42 ## Peace of mind comes from staying ahead of threats. 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