Bronze Atlas

Bronze Atlas, also known as APT41, Winnti Group, or HOODOO, is a significant threat actor identified in the cybersecurity industry. The group has been involved in various malicious activities and has been tracked by Secureworks' Counter Threat Unit since at least 2007. According to Marc Burnard, a senior security researcher for Secureworks, Bronze Atlas is "one of the most prolific groups we have been tracking for a long time." This Chinese entity is characterized by dual espionage and cybercrime activities, demonstrating its broad range of capabilities and intent. Recently, Bronze Atlas targeted a Taiwanese media organization, as reported by the Google Threat Analysis Group (TAG). The attack was executed through phishing emails that contained links to a password-protected file hosted on Drive. This attack methodology aligns with the group's well-documented approach of using sophisticated techniques to compromise their targets. The group's actions continue to pose a substantial risk to organizations worldwide, especially those in the media sector. In a recent development, Symantec researchers noted a shift in the group's tactics. In late last year and early this year, Bronze Atlas showed a greater reliance on open-source tools rather than its usual custom malware. This change could suggest an adaptation to evade detection or a new strategic direction. Furthermore, the group is linked to the discovery of Shadowpad, a modular backdoor found in 2017 following a supply-chain attack on server management software. This connection further underscores the group's advanced capabilities and persistent threat to global cybersecurity.