Group conducting surveillance against specific individuals in the Middle East using macOS and mobile malware. This profile is mapped to MITRE ATT&CK G0112 and covers attribution, tooling, targeting, and defensive recommendations based on observed campaigns.
Overview & Attribution
Windshift (also tracked as Bahamut) is a threat group attributed to Unknown. The group primarily targets Middle East government, activists for intelligence collection and operational objectives aligned with state interests.
This group is tracked as G0112 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 Windshift include:
- WINDTAIL
- WINDTAPE
Targeting & Operations
Windshift operations focus on Middle East government, activists. 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 Middle East government sector should treat Windshift 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 Windshift operations:
| Technique ID | Technique Name | Tactical Context |
|---|---|---|
| T1566.001 | T1566.001 | Observed in Windshift campaigns |
| T1204.002 | T1204.002 | Observed in Windshift campaigns |
| T1059.001 | T1059.001 | Observed in Windshift campaigns |
| T1113 | T1113 | Observed in Windshift campaigns |
Full ATT&CK mapping: https://attack.mitre.org/groups/G0112/
Notable Campaigns
This threat group has been active in operations targeting Middle East government, activists. Security researchers have documented campaigns involving WINDTAIL and other tools deployed against organizations in multiple countries. Attribution confidence varies by campaign, but consistent infrastructure and TTP overlap links activity to Unknown-nexus operations.
Detection & Defense
Recommended defensive measures against Windshift:
- Network monitoring: Detect C2 beaconing patterns associated with WINDTAIL and related implants
- Endpoint detection: Deploy behavioral rules for the ATT&CK techniques above, particularly T1566.001 and T1204.002
- 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 G0112 in MITRE ATT&CK
How Mjolnir Security Can Help
Defend Against Windshift
Mjolnir Security provides tailored threat intelligence, detection engineering, and incident response services to help organizations defend against Unknown-nexus threat actors.
Contact us: mjolnirsecurity.com
Stay ahead of emerging threats. Get notified when we publish new intelligence reports and advisories.
Subscribe to Alerts