Threat Actor

Mustang Panda

Also known as: Mustang Panda, TA416, RedDelta, BRONZE PRESIDENT, STATELY TAURUS, FIREANT, CAMARO DRAGON, EARTH PRETA, HIVE0154, TWILL TYPHOON, TANTALUM, LUMINOUS MOTH, UNC6384, TEMP.Hex, Red Lich, ClumsyToad

[Mustang Panda](https://attack.mitre.org/groups/G0129) is a China-based cyber espionage threat actor that has been conducting operations since at least 2012. [Mustang Panda](https://attack.mitre.org/groups/G0129) has been known to use tailored phishing lures and decoy documents to deliver malicious payloads. [Mustang Panda](https://attack.mitre.org/groups/G0129) has targeted government, diplomatic, and non-governmental organizations, including think tanks, religious institutions, and research entities, across the United States, Europe, and Asia, with notable activity in Russia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Pakistan, and Vietnam. (Citation: BlackBerry MUSTANG PANDA October 2022)(Citation: Eset PlugX Korplug Mustang Panda March 2022)(Citation: Anomali MUSTANG PANDA October 2019)(Citation: Cisco Talos MUSTANG PANDA PLUGX PUBLOAD MAY 2022)(Citation: Secureworks BRONZE PRESIDENT December 2019)(Citation: DOJ Affidavit Search and Seizure PlugX December 2024)(Citation: EclecticIQ Mustang Panda PlugX)(Citation: ATTACKIQ MUSTANG PANDA TONESHELL March 2023)(Citation: Crowdstrike MUSTANG PANDA June 2018)(Citation: Palo Alto Networks, Unit 42)(Citation: Sophos PlugX September 2022)(Citation: Sophos Mustang Panda PLUGX)(Citation: Zscaler)

50
Techniques
24
Software
1
Campaigns

Properties

stix_id
intrusion-set--420ac20b-f2b9-42b8-aa1a-6d4b72895ca4
signal_observed_at
2026-09-11T17:54:59+00:00
type
intrusion-set

MITRE ATT&CK Techniques (50)

Adversary-in-the-Middle

Adversaries may attempt to position themselves between two or more networked devices using an adversary-in-the-middle (AiTM) technique to support foll

Archive via Custom Method

An adversary may compress or encrypt data that is collected prior to exfiltration using a custom method. Adversaries may choose to use custom archival

Archive via Utility

Adversaries may use utilities to compress and/or encrypt collected data prior to exfiltration. Many utilities include functionalities to compress, enc

Automated Collection

Once established within a system or network, an adversary may use automated techniques for collecting internal data. Methods for performing this techn

Code Signing

Adversaries may create, acquire, or steal code signing materials to sign their malware or tools. Code signing provides a level of authenticity on a bi

Code Signing Certificates

Adversaries may buy and/or steal code signing certificates that can be used during targeting. Code signing is the process of digitally signing executa

Command and Scripting Interpreter

Adversaries may abuse command and script interpreters to execute commands, scripts, or binaries. These interfaces and languages provide ways of intera

DCSync

Adversaries may attempt to access credentials and other sensitive information by abusing a Windows Domain Controller's application programming interfa

DLL

Adversaries may abuse dynamic-link library files (DLLs) in order to achieve persistence, escalate privileges, and evade defenses. DLLs are libraries t

Debugger Evasion

Adversaries may employ various means to detect and avoid debuggers. Debuggers are typically used by defenders to trace and/or analyze the execution of

Delay Execution

Adversaries may employ various time-based methods to evade detection and analysis. These techniques often exploit system clocks, delays, or timing mec

Deobfuscate/Decode Files or Information

Adversaries may use [Obfuscated Files or Information](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1027) to hide artifacts of an intrusion from analysis. They

Digital Certificates

Adversaries may buy and/or steal SSL/TLS certificates that can be used during targeting. SSL/TLS certificates are designed to instill trust. They incl

Domain Account

Adversaries may attempt to get a listing of domain accounts. This information can help adversaries determine which domain accounts exist to aid in fol

Domain Groups

Adversaries may attempt to find domain-level groups and permission settings. The knowledge of domain-level permission groups can help adversaries dete

Domains

Adversaries may acquire domains that can be used during targeting. Domain names are the human readable names used to represent one or more IP addresse

Double File Extension

Adversaries may abuse a double extension in the filename as a means of masquerading the true file type. A file name may include a secondary file type

Dynamic API Resolution

Adversaries may obfuscate then dynamically resolve API functions called by their malware in order to conceal malicious functionalities and impair defe

Email Accounts

Adversaries may create email accounts that can be used during targeting. Adversaries can use accounts created with email providers to further their op

Email Accounts

Adversaries may compromise email accounts that can be used during targeting. Adversaries can use compromised email accounts to further their operation

Executable Installer File Permissions Weakness

Adversaries may execute their own malicious payloads by hijacking the binaries used by an installer. These processes may automatically execute specifi

Exfiltration Over C2 Channel

Adversaries may steal data by exfiltrating it over an existing command and control channel. Stolen data is encoded into the normal communications chan

Exfiltration Over Unencrypted Non-C2 Protocol

Adversaries may steal data by exfiltrating it over an un-encrypted network protocol other than that of the existing command and control channel. The d

Exfiltration over USB

Adversaries may attempt to exfiltrate data over a USB connected physical device. In certain circumstances, such as an air-gapped network compromise, e

Exfiltration to Cloud Storage

Adversaries may exfiltrate data to a cloud storage service rather than over their primary command and control channel. Cloud storage services allow fo

Exploitation for Client Execution

Adversaries may exploit software vulnerabilities in client applications to execute code. Vulnerabilities can exist in software due to unsecure coding

File Deletion

Adversaries may delete files left behind by the actions of their intrusion activity. Malware, tools, or other non-native files dropped or created on a

File and Directory Discovery

Adversaries may enumerate files and directories or may search in specific locations of a host or network share for certain information within a file s

Hidden Files and Directories

Adversaries may set files and directories to be hidden to evade detection mechanisms. To prevent normal users from accidentally changing special files

IDE Extensions

Adversaries may abuse an integrated development environment (IDE) extension to establish persistent access to victim systems.(Citation: Mnemonic misus

Software & Tools (24)

AdFind [tool]

[AdFind](https://attack.mitre.org/software/S0552) is a free command-line query tool that can be used for gathering information from Active Directory.(

BOOKWORM [malware]

[BOOKWORM](https://attack.mitre.org/software/S1226) is a modular trojan known to be leveraged by [Mustang Panda](https://attack.mitre.org/groups/G0129

CANONSTAGER [malware]

[CANONSTAGER](https://attack.mitre.org/software/S1237) is a loader known to be leveraged by [Mustang Panda](https://attack.mitre.org/groups/G0129) and

CLAIMLOADER [malware]

[CLAIMLOADER](https://attack.mitre.org/software/S1236) is a malware variant that frequently accompanies legitimate executables that are used for DLL s

China Chopper [malware]

[China Chopper](https://attack.mitre.org/software/S0020) is a [Web Shell](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1505/003) hosted on Web servers to prov

Cobalt Strike [tool]

[Cobalt Strike](https://attack.mitre.org/software/S0154) is a commercial, full-featured, remote access tool that bills itself as “adversary simulation

CorKLOG [malware]

[CorKLOG](https://attack.mitre.org/software/S1235) is a keylogger known to be leveraged by [Mustang Panda](https://attack.mitre.org/groups/G0129) and

HIUPAN [malware]

[HIUPAN](https://attack.mitre.org/software/S1230) (aka U2DiskWatch) is a is a worm that propagates through removable drives known to be leveraged by [

Impacket [tool]

[Impacket](https://attack.mitre.org/software/S0357) is an open source collection of modules written in Python for programmatically constructing and ma

MimiKatz [malware]

[Mimikatz](https://attack.mitre.org/software/S0002) is a credential dumper capable of obtaining plaintext Windows account logins and passwords, along

Mimikatz [tool]

[Mimikatz](https://attack.mitre.org/software/S0002) is a credential dumper capable of obtaining plaintext Windows account logins and passwords, along

NBTscan [tool]

[NBTscan](https://attack.mitre.org/software/S0590) is an open source tool that has been used by state groups to conduct internal reconnaissance within

PAKLOG [malware]

[PAKLOG](https://attack.mitre.org/software/S1233) is a keylogger known to be leveraged by [Mustang Panda](https://attack.mitre.org/groups/G0129) and w

PUBLOAD [malware]

[PUBLOAD](https://attack.mitre.org/software/S1228) is a stager malware that has been observed installing itself in existing directories such as `C:\Us

PlugX [malware]

[PlugX](https://attack.mitre.org/software/S0013) is a remote access tool (RAT) with modular plugins that has been used by multiple threat groups.(Cita

PoisonIvy [malware]

[PoisonIvy](https://attack.mitre.org/software/S0012) is a popular remote access tool (RAT) that has been used by many groups.(Citation: FireEye Poison

RCSession [malware]

[RCSession](https://attack.mitre.org/software/S0662) is a backdoor written in C++ that has been in use since at least 2018 by [Mustang Panda](https://

STATICPLUGIN [malware]

[STATICPLUGIN](https://attack.mitre.org/software/S1238) is a downloader known to be leveraged by [Mustang Panda](https://attack.mitre.org/groups/G0129

ShadowPad [malware]

[ShadowPad](https://attack.mitre.org/software/S0596) is a modular backdoor that was first identified in a supply chain compromise of the NetSarang sof

SplatCloak [malware]

[SplatCloak](https://attack.mitre.org/software/S1234) is a malware that disables EDR-related routines used by Windows Defender and Kaspersky to aid in

SplatDropper [malware]

[SplatDropper](https://attack.mitre.org/software/S1232) is a loader that utilizes native windows API to deliver its payload to the victim environment.

StarProxy [malware]

[StarProxy](https://attack.mitre.org/software/S1227) is custom malware used by [Mustang Panda](https://attack.mitre.org/groups/G0129) as a post-compro

TONESHELL [malware]

[TONESHELL](https://attack.mitre.org/software/S1239) is a custom backdoor that has been used since at least Q1 2021.(Citation: Palo Alto Unit42 STATEL

Wevtutil [tool]

[Wevtutil](https://attack.mitre.org/software/S0645) is a Windows command-line utility that enables administrators to retrieve information about event

Campaigns (1)

RedDelta Modified PlugX Infection Chain Operations

[RedDelta Modified PlugX Infection Chain Operations](https://attack.mitre.org/campaigns/C0047) was executed by [Mustang Panda](https://attack.mitre.or

Explore this actor's full graph with Ninja Signal

Mustang Panda — Threat Actor Profile — Ninja Signal | Ninja Signal