PLATINUM

Overview

PLATINUM is an activity group that has targeted victims since at least 2009. The group has focused on targets associated with governments and related organizations in South and Southeast Asia.

Naming & attribution

PLATINUM is tracked under 1 names across the industry. It uses 11 documented ATT&CK techniques — more than 32% of the 174 groups tracked here. Activity attributed since at least 2009.

Distinctive techniques

Techniques this group uses that are rare across the other 173 tracked groups — these carry more signal than the near-universal ones.

• T1056.004 Credential API Hooking — used by 1 of 174 groups

Closest groups by technique overlap

Computed from shared ATT&CK techniques. Overlap is not attribution — distinct actors converge on the same tradecraft — but a high share is a useful pivot.

• Ajax Security Team Iran — 4 shared techniques (31% overlap)
• Nomadic Octopus Russia — 4 shared techniques (29% overlap)
• Elderwood China — 4 shared techniques (25% overlap)
• Whitefly — 4 shared techniques (25% overlap)
• Tonto Team China — 5 shared techniques (24% overlap)
• BITTER — 5 shared techniques (23% overlap)

Targets

Defense · Diplomacy · Government · Intelligence · Telecommunications

Capabilities

• Custom malware/implant development — ATT&CK: 3 attributed custom malware families

TTPs — 11 techniques across 7 tactics

Tools & malware (3)

JPIN · Dipsind · adbupd

Reporting (1)

• PLATINUM: Targeted attacks in South and Southeast Asia — Windows Defender Advanced Threat Hunting Team