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Unveiling 11 New Adversary Playbooks ![Clock Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-clock.svg) 3 min read * ![Profile Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-profile-grey.svg) By: * [Unit 42](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/author/unit42/) * ![Published Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-calendar-grey.svg) Published:July 30, 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/) * [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: * [Chafer](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/chafer/) * [CobaltGang](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/cobaltgang/) * [CozyDuke](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/cozyduke/) * [Gorgon Group](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/gorgon-group/) * [Inception](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/inception/) * [MuddyWater](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/muddywater/) * [Playbook](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/playbook/) * [Rocke](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/rocke/) * [ScarletMimic](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/scarletmimic/) * [Sofacy](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/sofacy/) * [Th3bug](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/th3bug/) * [Tools](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/tools/) * [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/unveiling-11-new-adversary-playbooks/?pdf=download&lg=en&_wpnonce=40dbae5d0f "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/unveiling-11-new-adversary-playbooks/?pdf=print&lg=en&_wpnonce=40dbae5d0f "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=Unveiling%2011%20New%20Adversary%20Playbooks&body=Check%20out%20this%20article%20https%3A%2F%2Funit42.paloaltonetworks.com%2Funveiling-11-new-adversary-playbooks%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%2Funveiling-11-new-adversary-playbooks%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%2Funveiling-11-new-adversary-playbooks%2F&title=Unveiling%2011%20New%20Adversary%20Playbooks "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%2Funveiling-11-new-adversary-playbooks%2F&text=Unveiling%2011%20New%20Adversary%20Playbooks "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%2Funveiling-11-new-adversary-playbooks%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=Unveiling%2011%20New%20Adversary%20Playbooks%20https%3A%2F%2Funit42.paloaltonetworks.com%2Funveiling-11-new-adversary-playbooks%2F "Share in Mastodon") Today, Unit 42 released 11 new Adversary Playbooks as part of our mission to provide actionable threat intelligence. We use Playbooks to organize the tools, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) that an adversary uses[into a structured format that can easily be shared and built upon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42-introducing-the-adversary-playbook-first-up-oilrig/). All of the Playbooks we have released can be accessed through our [Playbook Viewer.](https://pan-unit42.github.io/playbook_viewer/) Here are brief descriptions of the new Unit 42 Adversary Playbooks: * **MuddyWater:** In Spring 2019, the group altered its TTPs to evade particular security controls in the[BlackWater](https://blog.talosintelligence.com/2019/05/recent-muddywater-associated-blackwater.html) attack campaign. An espionage campaign previously conflated with FIN7 activity, MuddyWater was first reported by Unit 42 in November 2017. * **Scarlet Mimic:** Unveiled by Unit 42 in [early 2016](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/scarlet-mimic-years-long-espionage-targets-minority-activists/) and active since at least 2014, this espionage campaign largely targeted Tibetan and Uyghur activists using a suite of custom Windows and Android malware. * **Inception:** Active since at least 2014, this adversary used custom malware for a variety of platforms to target a range of industries, primarily in Russia, but also around the world. In [October 2018](https://blog.paloaltonetworks.com/2018/11/unit42-inception-attackers-target-europe-year-old-office-vulnerability/) Inception used a new PowerShell backdoor and [CVE-2017-11882](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-11882) in attacks against European targets. * **Windshift:** In[February 2019](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/shifting-in-the-wind-windshift-attacks-target-middle-eastern-governments/), Unit 42 shared additional targeting and technical data tied to this espionage group, first reported in October 2018. The group's targets are primarily located in the Middle East. It is unique in that it only targets OSX systems with custom malware. * **Sofacy:** Active since at least 2007, this Russian-attributed espionage group persistently attacked government and private organizations around the world from [mid-October 2018 through mid-November 2018](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/dear-joohn-sofacy-groups-global-campaign/). The majority of targets were NATO-aligned nation states, although several former USSR nation states were also targeted. * **Chafer:** Active since at least 2015, the espionage group Chafer in November 2018 targeted a Turkish government entity. While investigating, Unit 42 discovered a new secondary Python-based payload we named [MechaFlounder](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/new-python-based-payload-mechaflounder-used-by-chafer/), marking the first time Unit 42 observed this group use a Python-based payload. * **Gorgon Group:** Unit 42 researchers unveiled this group in [August 2018](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42-gorgon-group-slithering-nation-state-cybercrime/), which performed a litany of attacks and operations around the globe, involving both criminal as well as targeted attacks. It was discovered while monitoring [Subaat](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42-tracking-subaat-targeted-phishing-attacks-point-leader-threat-actors-repository/), an apparent member of Gorgon Group, who Unit 42 started tracking in 2017. * **Cobalt Gang** : While investigating ongoing commodity attacks by this group in [October 2018](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42-new-techniques-uncover-attribute-cobalt-gang-commodity-builders-infrastructure-revealed/), Unit 42 identified the use of a common macro builder and specific document metadata that allowed us to track and cluster new activity and infrastructure. * **Th3bug:** In the [summer of 2014](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/recent-watering-hole-attacks-attributed-apt-group-th3bug-using-poison-ivy/), this cyber espionage group, which compromised multiple websites to use in watering hole attacks. Watering hole attacks offer a much better chance of success because they involve compromising legitimate websites and install malware intended to infect website visitors. These often target popular websites frequented by people who work in specific industries or have political sympathies to which the actors want to gain access. * **Rocke:** In [January 2019](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/malware-used-by-rocke-group-evolves-to-evade-detection-by-cloud-security-products/), Unit 42 revealed that this China-based cybercrime group had added new code to its Linux coin mining malware to uninstalls five different cloud security protection and monitoring products from compromised servers. The products were developed by Tencent Cloud and Alibaba Cloud (Aliyun), the two leading cloud providers in China that are expanding their business globally. This is the first malware family Unit 42 has seen with the unique capability to target and remove cloud security products. * **CozyDuke:** Active since at least 2008, this Russian-attributed espionage group launched a spear phishing campaign beginning in early July 2015 that leveraged new malware we named [MiniDionis](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tracking-minidionis-cozycars-new-ride-is-related-to-seaduke/). The new malware, which is related to the group's Seaduke malware, appeared to target government organizations and think-tanks located in democratic countries, and utilized compromised, legitimate websites for spear phishing and C2 activity. All Adversary Playbooks can be viewed [here](https://pan-unit42.github.io/playbook_viewer/). 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 * [Chafer](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/chafer/ "Chafer") * [CobaltGang](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/cobaltgang/ "CobaltGang") * [CozyDuke](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/cozyduke/ "CozyDuke") * [Gorgon Group](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/gorgon-group/ "Gorgon Group") * [Inception](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/inception/ "Inception") * [MuddyWater](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/muddywater/ "MuddyWater") * [Playbook](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/playbook/ "playbook") * [Rocke](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/rocke/ "Rocke") * [ScarletMimic](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/scarletmimic/ "ScarletMimic") * [Sofacy](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/sofacy/ "Sofacy") * [Th3bug](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/th3bug/ "th3bug") * [Tools](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/tools/ "tools") * [WINDSHIFT](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/windshift/ "WINDSHIFT") [Threat Research Center](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com "Threat Research") [Next: MyDoom Still Active in 2019](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/mydoom-still-active-in-2019/ "MyDoom Still Active in 2019") ### Related Articles * [Boggy Serpens Threat Assessment](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/boggy-serpens-threat-assessment/ "article - table of contents") * [A Look Into Public Clouds From the Ransomware Actor's Perspective](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/ransomware-in-public-clouds/ "article - table of contents") * [IAM Your Defense Against Cloud Threats: The Latest Unit 42 Cloud Threat Research](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/iam-cloud-threat-research/ "article - table of contents") ## Related Malware Resources ![Pictorial representation of post-exploitation identity misuse in SPIFFE/SPIRE. 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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, symbolizing data processing and transfer. 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A digital image of a skull formed by blue binary code on a black background, with scattered ones and zeros and digital noise, symbolizes how stealthy prompt injection attacks can exploit AI logic to bypass security controls.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/01_Malware_Category_1920x900-5-786x368.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 31, 2026 [#### Spring Ring: An Inside Look at Voice Phishing Campaigns in Microsoft Teams](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/spring-ring-voice-phishing-campaigns/) * [Cloaked Ursa](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/cloaked-ursa/ "Cloaked Ursa") * [Entra ID](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/entra-id/ "Entra ID") * [Microsoft Teams](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/microsoft-teams/ "Microsoft Teams") [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/spring-ring-voice-phishing-campaigns/ "Spring Ring: An Inside Look at Voice Phishing Campaigns in Microsoft Teams") ![Pictorial representation of AI-enabled malware. A vibrant digital interface displaying various icons and graphs, resembling a futuristic network or data analysis dashboard. 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Close-up view of a digital screen displaying a glitched and pixelated image of a skull-like shape.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/02_Malware_Category_1920x900-2-786x368.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 20, 2026 [#### Identity Abuse Through Trusted Communication Channels](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/communication-channel-identity-risks/) * [Authentication](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/authentication/ "authentication") * [Identity theft](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/identity-theft/ "identity theft") * [Malware](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/malware/ "malware") [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/communication-channel-identity-risks/ "Identity Abuse Through Trusted Communication Channels") ![Pictorial representation of Kimwolf botnet malware family. 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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") ![Pictorial representation of Token-jacking. A person types on a laptop with multiple digital interface elements projected, including an "AI" icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/AdobeStock_1246251272-2-786x369.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 6, 2026 [#### Token Jacking: Cybercriminals Could Be Stealing Your AI Resources](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/ai-token-jacking/) * [AI API](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/ai-api/ "AI API") * [AI gateway](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/ai-gateway/ "AI gateway") * [API keys](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/api-keys/ "API keys") [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/ai-token-jacking/ "Token Jacking: Cybercriminals Could Be Stealing Your AI Resources") * ![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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