Chinese threat group targeting defense and high-tech organizations using spear-phishing and custom backdoors since at least 2008. This profile is mapped to MITRE ATT&CK G0018 and covers attribution, tooling, targeting, and defensive recommendations based on observed campaigns.
Overview & Attribution
admin@338 (also tracked as None publicly documented) is a threat group attributed to China. The group primarily targets Defense, aerospace, government for intelligence collection and operational objectives aligned with state interests.
This group is tracked as G0018 in the MITRE ATT&CK framework. All techniques referenced in this report are mapped to ATT&CK for consistent threat modeling and detection engineering.
Arsenal & Tools
Known tools and malware associated with admin@338 include:
- LOWBALL
- BUBBLEWRAP
- Poison Ivy
Targeting & Operations
admin@338 operations focus on Defense, aerospace, government. The group typically gains initial access through spear-phishing, exploitation of public-facing applications, or strategic web compromises before deploying custom implants for persistent access and data exfiltration.
Organizations in the Defense sector should treat admin@338 as a relevant threat and validate their detection coverage against the MITRE ATT&CK techniques listed below.
MITRE ATT&CK Mapping
Key techniques observed in admin@338 operations:
| Technique ID | Technique Name | Tactical Context |
|---|---|---|
| T1566.001 | T1566.001 | Observed in admin@338 campaigns |
| T1059.001 | T1059.001 | Observed in admin@338 campaigns |
| T1071.001 | T1071.001 | Observed in admin@338 campaigns |
| T1105 | T1105 | Observed in admin@338 campaigns |
Full ATT&CK mapping: https://attack.mitre.org/groups/G0018/
Notable Campaigns
This threat group has been active in operations targeting Defense, aerospace, government. Security researchers have documented campaigns involving LOWBALL and other tools deployed against organizations in multiple countries. Attribution confidence varies by campaign, but consistent infrastructure and TTP overlap links activity to China-nexus operations.
Detection & Defense
Recommended defensive measures against admin@338:
- Network monitoring: Detect C2 beaconing patterns associated with LOWBALL and related implants
- Endpoint detection: Deploy behavioral rules for the ATT&CK techniques above, particularly T1566.001 and T1059.001
- Email security: Implement robust phishing defenses including URL sandboxing and attachment detonation
- Patch management: Prioritize patching of internet-facing applications exploited by this group
- Threat hunting: Proactively hunt for IOCs and behavioral indicators mapped to G0018 in MITRE ATT&CK
How Mjolnir Security Can Help
Defend Against admin@338
Mjolnir Security provides tailored threat intelligence, detection engineering, and incident response services to help organizations defend against China-nexus threat actors.
Contact us: mjolnirsecurity.com
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