{
	"id": "79c2d65b-f62c-4006-8fd1-36749599b24c",
	"created_at": "2026-04-06T00:13:19.185047Z",
	"updated_at": "2026-04-10T03:29:45.408552Z",
	"deleted_at": null,
	"sha1_hash": "1f3637b814f2e22c1926f9c8114018ab6675b193",
	"title": "Equation APT Group - Brandefense",
	"llm_title": "",
	"authors": "",
	"file_creation_date": "0001-01-01T00:00:00Z",
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	"plain_text": "Equation APT Group - Brandefense\r\nPublished: 2022-09-05 · Archived: 2026-04-05 15:38:05 UTC\r\nGroup’s Mission and Vision\r\nEquation Group has been conducting cyber operations since 2001 (perhaps it could even start in 1996), and it is\r\nknown for its sophisticated methods. The group was discovered in 2014 by Kaspersky Lab. This group uses\r\nencryption and obfuscation a lot. That is why they are called “Equation Group.” This group uses zero-days, gains\r\npersistence by reprogramming hard drive firmware, and if anything goes wrong, malware destroys itself. This\r\ngroup is linked with Stuxnet and Flame groups since Equation Group had access some zero-days before Stuxnet\r\nand Flame used it. Even though the mistakes and fingerprints that reveal the identity of the group are rare, there\r\nare some clues. For example, this group is linked with NSA since some NSA keywords are found, and malware (a\r\nkeylogger named Grok) is also associated with Equation Group and NSA.\r\nTargeted Countries \u0026 Industries\r\nEquation Group generally target these sectors:\r\nGovernments and diplomatic institutions\r\nTelecommunication\r\nAerospace\r\nEnergy\r\nNuclear research\r\nOil and gas\r\nMilitary\r\nNanotechnology\r\nIslamic activists and scholars\r\nMass media\r\nTransportation\r\nFinancial institutions\r\nCompanies developing cryptographic technologies.\r\nCountries that are in the target of the Equation Group:\r\nHighly targeted:\r\nIran\r\nRussia\r\nPakistan\r\nAfghanistan\r\nIndia\r\nhttps://brandefense.io/blog/apt-groups/equation-apt-group/\r\nPage 1 of 4\n\nChina\r\nSyria\r\nMali\r\nNot highly as the previous ones but also targeted ones:\r\nLebanon\r\nYemen\r\nUAE\r\nAlgeria\r\nKenya\r\nUK\r\nLibya\r\nMexico\r\nQatar\r\nEgypt\r\nFigure 1: Targeted countries\r\nCyber Attack Lifecycle and TTPs\r\nEquation Group infects its victims by several ways. These ways include:\r\nWorm code\r\nPhysical media, CD-ROMs\r\nUSB Sticks\r\nWeb Exploits\r\nEquation Group uses physical media, worm, or web exploits to infect victims. The compromised computer is used\r\nto execute an installer to begin to escalate privileges. Then the DOUBLEFANTASY malware is installed, and the\r\nvictim is verified. Verifying process is done in order to figure out if the victim is essential to hack or not. Then\r\nhttps://brandefense.io/blog/apt-groups/equation-apt-group/\r\nPage 2 of 4\n\nDOUBLEFANTASY malware is upgraded to GRAYFISH or EQUATIONDRUG malware which is\r\nsophisticated espionage malware. GRAYFISH uses a bootkit so that it can gain execution privilege as the OS\r\nboots.\r\nPhysical devices and USB sticks are used to infect the systems that are not connected to the internet, for example,\r\nnuclear power plants.\r\nThe reason why this group is considered sophisticated is that they reprogrammed hard drive firmware so that they\r\ncan gain persistence. After reprogramming the firmware, re-infection begins as needed. This is used for the first\r\ntime. Therefore, forensics professionals are not looking for there, and this improves persistence.\r\nTactic Tactic ID Technique\r\nTechnique\r\nID\r\nDefense Evasion TA0005\r\nExecution Guardrails: Environmental\r\nKeying\r\nT1480.001\r\nHide Artifacts: Hidden File System T1564.005\r\nDiscovery TA0007 Peripheral Device Discovery T1120\r\nPersistence, Defense\r\nEvasion\r\nTA0003TA0005 Pre-OS Boot: Component Firmware T1542.002\r\nGroup’s Toolset and Related Malware\r\nEQUATIONDRUG – An attack platform which has plugins as modules.\r\nDOUBLEFANTASY – This platform decides if the target is the one that the group wants to attack. If it is,\r\nthen the platform is upgraded to EQUATIONDRUG or GRAYFISH.\r\nEQUESTRE – Same as EQUATIONDRUG.\r\nTRIPLEFANTASY – A backdoor which is used with GRAYFISH. It is probably a more recent version of\r\nDOUBLEFANTASY.\r\nGRAYFISH – A sophisticated attack platform which stays in the registry. It gains execution privilege with\r\na bootkit when the OS boots.\r\nFANNY – This computer worm created in 2008 and used for getting information.\r\nEQUATIONLASER – This is used between 2001 and 2004 and is compatible with Windows 95/98. This is\r\nused somewhere between DOUBLEFANTASY and EQUATIONDRUG.\r\nGROK — A keylogger to steal victims’ credentials.\r\nFor detailed information about these, click here.\r\nRecommendations \u0026 Mitigations\r\nKaspersky Lab found 7 exploits are used by Equation Group. At least 4 of these were used as zero-days. You\r\nmight consider if your computer is vulnerable to these exploits below. Here are the exploits:\r\nWindows Kernel EoP exploit used in Stuxnet 2009, fixed with MS09-025. (CVE unknown).\r\nhttps://brandefense.io/blog/apt-groups/equation-apt-group/\r\nPage 3 of 4\n\nCVE-2012-0159 (fixed with MS12-034)\r\nCVE-2013-3894 (fixed with MS13-081)\r\nCVE-2010-2568 (used by Stuxnet)\r\nCVE-2013-3918\r\nCVE-2012-1723\r\nCVE-2012-4681\r\nOf course there are other mitigations you should consider.\r\nDo not plug a randomly found physical device (USB, CD, …) in your computer since that device might\r\ncarry a malware and infect your computer.\r\nKeep your software up-to-date.\r\nDo not click on every link or download files sent via email. Phishing attacks might be a start of a malware\r\ninfection. To detect phishing emails click here.\r\nBe careful when entering and logging in some websites such as Islamic Jihadist discussion forums.\r\nConclusion\r\nEquation Group is a sophisticated and old group. They exploit websites, distribute malware with worms and\r\nphysical devices. It is difficult to detect Equation Group’s malware for antivirus software and forensics\r\nprofessionals. All malware samples that are found are designed for Windows, but some clues show that macOS\r\nand iPhone devices are also not safe. Therefore, this group should not be ignored and underestimated.\r\nSource: https://brandefense.io/blog/apt-groups/equation-apt-group/\r\nhttps://brandefense.io/blog/apt-groups/equation-apt-group/\r\nPage 4 of 4",
	"extraction_quality": 1,
	"language": "EN",
	"sources": [
		"Malpedia"
	],
	"references": [
		"https://brandefense.io/blog/apt-groups/equation-apt-group/"
	],
	"report_names": [
		"equation-apt-group"
	],
	"threat_actors": [
		{
			"id": "b740943a-da51-4133-855b-df29822531ea",
			"created_at": "2022-10-25T15:50:23.604126Z",
			"updated_at": "2026-04-10T02:00:05.259593Z",
			"deleted_at": null,
			"main_name": "Equation",
			"aliases": [
				"Equation"
			],
			"source_name": "MITRE:Equation",
			"tools": null,
			"source_id": "MITRE",
			"reports": null
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		{
			"id": "08623296-52be-4977-8622-50efda44e9cc",
			"created_at": "2023-01-06T13:46:38.549387Z",
			"updated_at": "2026-04-10T02:00:03.020003Z",
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			"main_name": "Equation Group",
			"aliases": [
				"Tilded Team",
				"EQGRP",
				"G0020"
			],
			"source_name": "MISPGALAXY:Equation Group",
			"tools": [
				"TripleFantasy",
				"GrayFish",
				"EquationLaser",
				"EquationDrug",
				"DoubleFantasy"
			],
			"source_id": "MISPGALAXY",
			"reports": null
		},
		{
			"id": "2d9fbbd7-e4c3-40e5-b751-27af27c8610b",
			"created_at": "2024-05-01T02:03:08.144214Z",
			"updated_at": "2026-04-10T02:00:03.674763Z",
			"deleted_at": null,
			"main_name": "PLATINUM COLONY",
			"aliases": [
				"Equation Group "
			],
			"source_name": "Secureworks:PLATINUM COLONY",
			"tools": [
				"DoubleFantasy",
				"EquationDrug",
				"EquationLaser",
				"Fanny",
				"GrayFish",
				"TripleFantasy"
			],
			"source_id": "Secureworks",
			"reports": null
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		{
			"id": "e0fed6e6-a593-4041-80ef-694261825937",
			"created_at": "2022-10-25T16:07:23.593572Z",
			"updated_at": "2026-04-10T02:00:04.680752Z",
			"deleted_at": null,
			"main_name": "Equation Group",
			"aliases": [
				"APT-C-40",
				"G0020",
				"Platinum Colony",
				"Tilded Team"
			],
			"source_name": "ETDA:Equation Group",
			"tools": [
				"Bvp47",
				"DEMENTIAWHEEL",
				"DOUBLEFANTASY",
				"DanderSpritz",
				"DarkPulsar",
				"DoubleFantasy",
				"DoubleFeature",
				"DoublePulsar",
				"Duqu",
				"EQUATIONDRUG",
				"EQUATIONLASER",
				"EQUESTRE",
				"Flamer",
				"GRAYFISH",
				"GROK",
				"OddJob",
				"Plexor",
				"Prax",
				"Regin",
				"Skywiper",
				"TRIPLEFANTASY",
				"Tilded",
				"UNITEDRAKE",
				"WarriorPride",
				"sKyWIper"
			],
			"source_id": "ETDA",
			"reports": null
		}
	],
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	"ts_updated_at": 1775791785,
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