Phantom Taurus: Chinese State-Sponsored Hacking Group Analysis
https://www.bivashvlog.com/2025/10/phantom-taurus-chinese-hacking-group.html
Phantom Taurus is a Chinese state-sponsored advanced persistent threat (APT) hacking group conducting long-term cyber espionage targeting government and telecommunications organizations.
Threat Level: High - Phantom Taurus operates with extreme stealth and persistence, maintaining long-term access to critical networks for opportunistic data theft aligned with China's geopolitical interests.
Group Overview
Key Characteristics
Origin:
China (State-Sponsored)
Primary Targets:
Government, Telecommunications, Diplomacy
Operational Regions:
Africa, Middle East, Asia
Tactics:
Extreme Stealth, Long-Term Persistence
Malware Families:
NET-STAR, Specter, Ntospy
Initial Access:
Software Vulnerabilities (Microsoft Exchange, IIS)
Primary Targets
Ministries of Foreign Affairs
Embassies & Diplomatic Missions
Telecommunications Networks
Government Ministries
Defense Organizations
Diplomatic Communications
Malware Analysis
NET-STAR Malware Suite
.NET-based IIS Backdoor Suite
- Targets Internet Information Services (IIS) web servers
- Comprises three specialized web-based backdoors
- Fileless, modular execution entirely in memory
- Uses timestomping to evade detection
- Encrypted command-and-control communication
- Bypasses Windows security mechanisms (AMSI, ETW)
Specter Malware
Backdoor for Persistent Access
- Variants: TunnelSpecter and SweetSpecter
- Creates rogue administrative users
- Encrypted DNS tunneling for C2 communication
- Linked with Gh0st RAT family
- Used in Operation Diplomatic Specter
- Focuses on persistent access and data exfiltration
Malware Component Details
| Component | Type | Function | Evasion Techniques |
|---|---|---|---|
| IIServerCore | Fileless Backdoor | Executes in memory within IIS worker process; receives and executes arbitrary commands | Timestomping, memory-only execution |
| AssemblyExecuter V1 | Loader | Executes additional .NET assemblies in memory without disk writes | Fileless operation |
| AssemblyExecuter V2 | Enhanced Loader | Executes payloads with advanced evasion capabilities | Bypasses AMSI and ETW |
| TunnelSpecter | Backdoor | Creates rogue users, encrypted DNS tunneling for C2 | Encrypted communications |
| SweetSpecter | Backdoor | Remote command execution, data exfiltration | Stealthy persistence mechanisms |
Operational Scope & Impact
Strategic Intelligence Collection
Phantom Taurus campaigns align with major political and military events, often coinciding with global summits or regional security developments. The group exploits a shared Chinese APT infrastructure ecosystem but operates with unique components indicating compartmentalization.
NET-STAR Focus
Operates with strong focus on fileless in-memory execution within IIS servers, modular payload deployment, and advanced evasion techniques specifically designed for web server compromise.
Specter Focus
Involves customized backdoors focusing on persistent access, encrypted communications, and stealthy data theft methods used primarily in diplomatic espionage campaigns.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is Phantom Taurus?
Phantom Taurus is a Chinese state-sponsored advanced persistent threat (APT) hacking group conducting long-term cyber espionage primarily targeting government and telecommunications organizations across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.
What makes Phantom Taurus distinctive?
The group operates with extreme stealth and persistence, maintaining long-term access to critical target networks. They use a distinctive set of TTPs and custom malware families including NET-STAR and Specter.
How does Phantom Taurus gain initial access to systems?
The group leverages known vulnerabilities in widely used software like Microsoft Exchange and Internet Information Services (IIS) to gain initial access, often exploiting unpatched servers.
What is the NET-STAR malware suite?
NET-STAR is a custom .NET malware suite targeting IIS web servers, comprising three web-based backdoors (IIServerCore, AssemblyExecuter V1 and V2) designed for covert web server backdoor access with fileless, in-memory execution.
How does Specter malware operate?
Specter includes various backdoors used for data exfiltration and persistence. Variants like TunnelSpecter and SweetSpecter create rogue administrative users and use encrypted DNS tunneling for command and control.
What are the primary targets of Phantom Taurus?
The group focuses on ministries of foreign affairs, embassies, diplomats, and telecom networks, aiming to steal sensitive diplomatic, defense-related, and governmental operational intelligence.
