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MITRE ATT&CK® Group

G0081: Tropic Trooper

Tropic Trooper is an unaffiliated threat group that has led targeted campaigns against targets in Taiwan, the Philippines, and Hong Kong. Tropic Trooper focuses on targeting government, healthcare, transportation, and high-tech industries and has been active since 2011.[1][2][3]

EnterpriseG0081GroupObject v1.6Modified
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Glexia's Take · Automated analysis

Security context for executives and security teams

Automation confidenceMedium

G0081: Tropic Trooper describes [Tropic Trooper](https://attack.mitre.org/groups/G0081) is an unaffiliated threat group that has led targeted campaigns against targets in Taiwan, the Philippines, and Hong Kong. [Tropic Trooper](https://attack.mitre.org/groups/G0081) focuses on targeting government, healthcare, transportation, and high-tech industries and has been active since 2011.(Citation: TrendMicro Tropic Trooper Mar 2018)(Citation: Unit 42 Tropic Trooper Nov 2016)(Citation: TrendMicro Tropic Trooper May 2020)

Executive priority

G0081: Tropic Trooper is an official MITRE ATT&CK group. Glexia treats it as defensive behavior context for prioritizing monitoring, control validation, and response planning without using the object by itself as an attribution claim.

Technical view

Security teams should validate G0081: Tropic Trooper by reviewing the official ATT&CK relationships, mapped tactics (the mapped ATT&CK tactic context), supported platforms (the platforms named in the official object), and available local telemetry before making detection or mitigation decisions.

Likely telemetry

  • Official ATT&CK relationships and object metadata

Detection direction

  • Validate whether G0081: Tropic Trooper appears in your detection coverage and tabletop scenarios.
  • Use the object to align executive risk language with SOC, incident response, and detection engineering work.
  • Do not treat ATT&CK relationship context as attribution without corroborating evidence.

Mitigation priorities

  • Map the object to existing controls and identify missing telemetry or response ownership.
  • Prioritize mitigations that reduce exposure on the listed platforms and tactics.
  • Review adjacent ATT&CK relationships before changing policy, detections, or reporting language.
Additional notes and limits

Baseline Glexia take generated from the official MITRE ATT&CK STIX object, source hash, tactics, platforms, and detection fields. It is safe to replace with a richer model-generated take for the same source hash later.

This baseline take is source-grounded and schema-validated, but it does not include environment-specific telemetry, incident evidence, or threat-intelligence corroboration.

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Official MITRE ATT&CK definition

Tropic Trooper

Tropic Trooper is an unaffiliated threat group that has led targeted campaigns against targets in Taiwan, the Philippines, and Hong Kong. Tropic Trooper focuses on targeting government, healthcare, transportation, and high-tech industries and has been active since 2011.[1][2][3]

View the same entry on attack.mitre.org (MITRE-hosted reference; in-page links above use the Glexia ATT&CK library.)

Glexia analysis

How security teams should use this page

Treat this object as behavior context, not an attribution claim. Validate the related groups, software, data sources, and mitigations against official ATT&CK relationships and your own telemetry before making control-coverage decisions.

ATT&CK relationship table

Techniques used

This mirrors the MITRE pattern of making group, software, campaign, and technique relationships scannable. Relationship notes come from mirrored ATT&CK relationship text when available.

40 rows
DomainIDNameRelationship / procedure
EnterpriseT1543.003Windows ServiceSub-technique

Tropic Trooper has installed a service pointing to a malicious DLL dropped to disk.CitationPWC KeyBoys Feb 2017

EnterpriseT1070.004File DeletionSub-technique

Tropic Trooper has deleted dropper files on an infected system using command scripts.[3]

EnterpriseT1566.001Spearphishing AttachmentSub-technique

Tropic Trooper sent spearphishing emails that contained malicious Microsoft Office and fake installer file attachments.[2]CitationTrendMicro TropicTrooper 2015CitationCitizenLab Tropic Trooper Aug 2018CitationAnomali Pirate Panda April 2020[3]

EnterpriseT1105Ingress Tool Transfer

Tropic Trooper has used a delivered trojan to download additional files.[3]

EnterpriseT1057Process Discovery

Tropic Trooper is capable of enumerating the running processes on the system using pslist.[2][3]

EnterpriseT1204.002Malicious FileSub-technique

Tropic Trooper has lured victims into executing malware via malicious e-mail attachments.CitationAnomali Pirate Panda April 2020

EnterpriseT1573Encrypted Channel

Tropic Trooper has encrypted traffic with the C2 to prevent network detection.[3]

EnterpriseT1071.001Web ProtocolsSub-technique

Tropic Trooper has used HTTP in communication with the C2.CitationAnomali Pirate Panda April 2020[3]

EnterpriseT1564.001Hidden Files and DirectoriesSub-technique

Tropic Trooper has created a hidden directory under C:\ProgramData\Apple\Updates\ and C:\Users\Public\Documents\Flash\.[1][3]

EnterpriseT1221Template Injection

Tropic Trooper delivered malicious documents with the XLSX extension, typically used by OpenXML documents, but the file itself was actually an OLE (XLS) document.[2]

EnterpriseT1033System Owner/User Discovery

Tropic Trooper used letmein to scan for saved usernames on the target system.CitationTrendMicro TropicTrooper 2015

EnterpriseT1046Network Service Discovery

Tropic Trooper used pr and an openly available tool to scan for open ports on target systems.CitationTrendMicro TropicTrooper 2015[3]

EnterpriseT1016System Network Configuration Discovery

Tropic Trooper has used scripts to collect the host's network topology.[3]

EnterpriseT1052.001Exfiltration over USBSub-technique

Tropic Trooper has exfiltrated data using USB storage devices.[3]

EnterpriseT1547.001Registry Run Keys / Startup FolderSub-technique

Tropic Trooper has created shortcuts in the Startup folder to establish persistence.CitationAnomali Pirate Panda April 2020[3]

EnterpriseT1505.003Web ShellSub-technique

Tropic Trooper has started a web service in the target host and wait for the adversary to connect, acting as a web shell.[3]

EnterpriseT1573.002Asymmetric CryptographySub-technique

Tropic Trooper has used SSL to connect to C2 servers.[1][3]

EnterpriseT1059.003Windows Command ShellSub-technique

Tropic Trooper has used Windows command scripts.[3]

EnterpriseT1106Native API

Tropic Trooper has used multiple Windows APIs including HttpInitialize, HttpCreateHttpHandle, and HttpAddUrl.[3]

EnterpriseT1574.001DLLSub-technique

Tropic Trooper has been known to side-load DLLs using a valid version of a Windows Address Book and Windows Defender executable with one of their tools.CitationCitizenLab KeyBoy Nov 2016CitationAnomali Pirate Panda April 2020

EnterpriseT1083File and Directory Discovery

Tropic Trooper has monitored files' modified time.[3]

EnterpriseT1027.013Encrypted/Encoded FileSub-technique

Tropic Trooper has encrypted configuration files.[1][3]

EnterpriseT1036.005Match Legitimate Resource Name or LocationSub-technique

Tropic Trooper has hidden payloads in Flash directories and fake installer files.[3]

EnterpriseT1132.001Standard EncodingSub-technique

Tropic Trooper has used base64 encoding to hide command strings delivered from the C2.[3]

EnterpriseT1078.003Local AccountsSub-technique

Tropic Trooper has used known administrator account credentials to execute the backdoor directly.[3]

EnterpriseT1680Local Storage Discovery

Tropic Trooper has detected a target system’s system volume information.CitationTrendMicro TropicTrooper 2015[3]

EnterpriseT1547.004Winlogon Helper DLLSub-technique

Tropic Trooper has created the Registry key HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\Shell and sets the value to establish persistence.[2][3]

EnterpriseT1203Exploitation for Client Execution

Tropic Trooper has executed commands through Microsoft security vulnerabilities, including CVE-2017-11882, CVE-2018-0802, and CVE-2012-0158.[1][2]

EnterpriseT1071.004DNSSub-technique

Tropic Trooper's backdoor has communicated to the C2 over the DNS protocol.[3]

EnterpriseT1119Automated Collection

Tropic Trooper has collected information automatically using the adversary's USBferry attack.[3]

EnterpriseT1055.001Dynamic-link Library InjectionSub-technique

Tropic Trooper has injected a DLL backdoor into dllhost.exe and svchost.exe.[1][3]

EnterpriseT1020Automated Exfiltration

Tropic Trooper has used a copy function to automatically exfiltrate sensitive data from air-gapped systems using USB storage.[3]

EnterpriseT1135Network Share Discovery

Tropic Trooper used netview to scan target systems for shared resources.CitationTrendMicro TropicTrooper 2015

EnterpriseT1082System Information Discovery

Tropic Trooper has detected a target system’s OS version.CitationTrendMicro TropicTrooper 2015[3]

EnterpriseT1518.001Security Software DiscoverySub-technique

Tropic Trooper can search for anti-virus software running on the system.[2]

EnterpriseT1140Deobfuscate/Decode Files or Information

Tropic Trooper used shellcode with an XOR algorithm to decrypt a payload. Tropic Trooper also decrypted image files which contained a payload.[2][3]

EnterpriseT1049System Network Connections Discovery

Tropic Trooper has tested if the localhost network is available and other connection capability on an infected system using command scripts.[3]

EnterpriseT1027.003SteganographySub-technique

Tropic Trooper has used JPG files with encrypted payloads to mask their backdoor routines and evade detection.[3]

EnterpriseT1518Software Discovery

Tropic Trooper's backdoor could list the infected system's installed software.[3]

EnterpriseT1091Replication Through Removable Media

Tropic Trooper has attempted to transfer USBferry from an infected USB device by copying an Autorun function to the target machine.[3]

Associated objects

Groups, software, and campaigns

MalwareEnterprise

S0452: USBferry

USBferry is an information stealing malware and has been used by Tropic Trooper in targeted attacks against Taiwanese and Philippine air-gapped military environments. USBferry shares an overlapping codebase with YAHOYAH, though it has several features which makes it a distinct piece of malware.[1]

Windows
MalwareEnterprise

S0596: ShadowPad

ShadowPad is a modular backdoor that was first identified in a supply chain compromise of the NetSarang software in mid-July 2017. The malware was originally thought to be exclusively used by APT41, but has since been observed to be used by various Chinese threat activity groups. [1][2][3]

Windows
MalwareEnterprise

S0387: KeyBoy

KeyBoy is malware that has been used in targeted campaigns against members of the Tibetan Parliament in 2016.[1][2]

Windows
Relationship explorer

All related ATT&CK context

uses · TechniqueT1543.003: Windows ServiceEnterpriseuses · TechniqueT1070.004: File DeletionEnterpriseuses · TechniqueT1566.001: Spearphishing AttachmentEnterpriseuses · TechniqueT1105: Ingress Tool TransferEnterpriseuses · TechniqueT1057: Process DiscoveryEnterpriseuses · MalwareS0452: USBferryEnterpriseuses · TechniqueT1204.002: Malicious FileEnterpriseuses · TechniqueT1573: Encrypted ChannelEnterpriseuses · TechniqueT1071.001: Web ProtocolsEnterpriseuses · TechniqueT1564.001: Hidden Files and DirectoriesEnterpriseuses · TechniqueT1221: Template InjectionEnterpriseuses · TechniqueT1033: System Owner/User DiscoveryEnterpriseuses · TechniqueT1046: Network Service DiscoveryEnterpriseuses · TechniqueT1016: System Network Configuration DiscoveryEnterpriseuses · MalwareS0596: ShadowPadEnterpriseuses · TechniqueT1052.001: Exfiltration over USBEnterpriseuses · TechniqueT1547.001: Registry Run Keys / Startup FolderEnterpriseuses · TechniqueT1505.003: Web ShellEnterpriseuses · TechniqueT1573.002: Asymmetric CryptographyEnterpriseuses · TechniqueT1059.003: Windows Command ShellEnterpriseuses · TechniqueT1106: Native APIEnterpriseuses · TechniqueT1574.001: DLLEnterpriseuses · TechniqueT1083: File and Directory DiscoveryEnterpriseuses · MalwareS0012: PoisonIvyEnterprise
Change history

Object version and sync metadata

The fields below describe the current mirrored snapshot. When Glexia retains multiple ATT&CK source imports, you can open the table to compare the same object across releases (hashes and MITRE timestamps). For MITRE’s own release notes and roadmap, see ATT&CK resources — Updates.

ATT&CK release
19.2
Object version
1.6
Created
Modified
Raw hash
8295ca4763551c54...
Imported snapshots across ATT&CK releases(2)
ReleaseBundle importedObject versionModifiedStatusRaw hash
19.21.6Current bundle8295ca476355…
19.11.6Older bundle4dc7c4354ca7…
Raw source

Mirrored ATT&CK source object

The raw object is retained through the mirrored ATT&CK source bundle and object hash. The raw endpoint returns the exact object from the mirrored bundle when available.

Open mirrored raw JSONOpen MITRE-hosted copy
Source references

External references and citations

MITRE external references are preserved separately from Glexia analysis so citations remain traceable to their original source records.

  1. [1]
    TrendMicro Tropic Trooper Mar 2018

    Horejsi, J., et al. (2018, March 14). Tropic Trooper’s New Strategy. Retrieved November 9, 2018.

    Open source URL
  2. [2]
    Unit 42 Tropic Trooper Nov 2016

    Ray, V. (2016, November 22). Tropic Trooper Targets Taiwanese Government and Fossil Fuel Provider With Poison Ivy. Retrieved November 9, 2018.

    Open source URL
  3. [3]
    TrendMicro Tropic Trooper May 2020

    Chen, J.. (2020, May 12). Tropic Trooper’s Back: USBferry Attack Targets Air gapped Environments. Retrieved May 20, 2020.

    Open source URL
  4. [4]
    Crowdstrike Pirate Panda April 2020

    Busselen, M. (2020, April 7). On-demand Webcast: CrowdStrike Experts on COVID-19 Cybersecurity Challenges and Recommendations. Retrieved May 20, 2020.

    Open source URL
  5. [5]
    KeyBoy

    (Citation: Unit 42 Tropic Trooper Nov 2016)(Citation: TrendMicro Tropic Trooper Mar 2018)

  6. [6]
    Pirate Panda

    (Citation: Crowdstrike Pirate Panda April 2020)

  7. [7]
    Tropic Trooper

    (Citation: TrendMicro Tropic Trooper Mar 2018)(Citation: Unit 42 Tropic Trooper Nov 2016)

  8. [8]
    mitre-attackG0081
    Open source URL
Source and licensing

Source: MITRE ATT&CK®. © 2026 The MITRE Corporation. This work is reproduced and distributed with the permission of The MITRE Corporation. MITRE ATT&CK and ATT&CK are registered trademarks of The MITRE Corporation. Glexia is not affiliated with or endorsed by MITRE.

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