# Earth Freybug: threat group profile

> Earth Freybug is a threat group thought to operate from China. Public reporting about it is still limited. This free profile brings together what is known about it, so you can judge the risk to you. It lists the other names the group goes by and links to every public report behind it.

Canonical page: https://www.edgeprotect.io/threat-actors/earth-freybug
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## At a glance

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Attack techniques | 0 |
| Thought to operate from | China |
| Other names | 0 |
| Public reports | 1 |

## Who is Earth Freybug?

Earth Freybug is a threat group thought to operate from China. Public reporting about it is still limited.

### What public reporting says

> Earth Freybug, identified as a subset of APT41, is a cyberthreat group active since at least 2012, engaging in espionage and financially motivated activities across various sectors worldwide. The tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) used in this campaign are similar to the ones from a campaign (Operation CuckooBees) described in an article published by Cybereason. They employ a diverse toolkit, including LOLBins and custom malware, to execute sophisticated cyberespionage attacks. The group's recent tactics involve DLL hijacking and API unhooking through a newly discovered malware named UNAPIMON, which prevents child processes from being monitored. This technique was observed in a vmtoolsd.exe process creating remote tasks to deploy malicious batch files for reconnaissance and backdoor access. UNAPIMON's simplicity and use of Microsoft Detours for defense evasion highlight the group's evolving methods and the need for vigilant security measures, such as restricting admin privileges and adhering to the principle of least privilege. Earth Freybug's persistence and creativity in refining their techniques underscore the ongoing threat they pose and the importance of proactive cybersecurity practices.

## Public reports about Earth Freybug

- https://www.trendmicro.com/en_us/research/24/d/earth-freybug.html

## Frequently asked questions

### Who is Earth Freybug?

Earth Freybug is a threat group thought to operate from China. Public reporting about it is still limited.

### Where is Earth Freybug thought to be based?

Public reporting places Earth Freybug as operating from China. Attribution is never certain: it rests on the tools, infrastructure and targets researchers have seen.

### How do I know if Earth Freybug is a risk to my business?

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