S0266: TrickBot

S0266: TrickBot describes [TrickBot](https://attack.mitre.org/software/S0266) is a Trojan spyware program written in C++ that first emerged in September 2016 as a possible successor to [Dyre](https://attack.mitre.org/software/S0024). [TrickBot](https://attack.mitre.org/software/S0266) was developed and initially used by [Wizard Spider](https://attack.mitre.org/groups/G0102) for targeting banking sites in North America, Australia, and throughout Europe; it has since been used against all sectors worldwide as part of "big game hunting" ransom...

Executive priority

S0266: TrickBot is an official MITRE ATT&CK software. 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 S0266: TrickBot by reviewing the official ATT&CK relationships, mapped tactics (the mapped ATT&CK tactic context), supported platforms (Windows), and available local telemetry before making detection or mitigation decisions.

Likely telemetry

Official ATT&CK relationships and object metadata
Network, endpoint, and security-tool telemetry

Detection direction

Validate whether S0266: TrickBot 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

TrickBot

TrickBot is a Trojan spyware program written in C++ that first emerged in September 2016 as a possible successor to Dyre. TrickBot was developed and initially used by Wizard Spider for targeting banking sites in North America, Australia, and throughout Europe; it has since been used against all sectors worldwide as part of "big game hunting" ransomware campaigns.[1][2][3][4]

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.

Filter related techniques55 rows

Domain	ID	Name	Relationship / procedure
Enterprise	T1082	System Information Discovery	TrickBot gathers the OS version, machine name, CPU type, amount of RAM available, and UEFI/BIOS firmware information from the victim’s machine.[1][2]CitationCyberreason Anchor December 2019CitationEclypsium Trickboot December 2020
Enterprise	T1033	System Owner/User Discovery	TrickBot can identify the user and groups the user belongs to on a compromised host.CitationCyberreason Anchor December 2019
Enterprise	T1559.001	Component Object ModelSub-technique	TrickBot used COM to setup scheduled task for persistence.CitationESET Trickbot Oct 2020
Enterprise	T1053.005	Scheduled TaskSub-technique	TrickBot creates a scheduled task on the system that provides persistence.[1][5][6]
Enterprise	T1542.003	BootkitSub-technique	TrickBot can implant malicious code into a compromised device's firmware.CitationEclypsium Trickboot December 2020
Enterprise	T1185	Browser Session Hijacking	TrickBot uses web injects and browser redirection to trick the user into providing their login credentials on a fake or modified web page.[2][3][6]CitationTrend Micro Trickbot Nov 2018
Enterprise	T1106	Native API	TrickBot uses the Windows API call, CreateProcessW(), to manage execution flow.[1] TrickBot has also used `Nt*` API functions to perform Process Injection.CitationJoe Sec Trickbot
Enterprise	T1059.001	PowerShellSub-technique	TrickBot has been known to use PowerShell to download new payloads, open documents, and upload data to command and control servers. CitationBitdefender Trickbot VNC module Whitepaper 2021
Enterprise	T1041	Exfiltration Over C2 Channel	TrickBot can send information about the compromised host and upload data to a hardcoded C2 server.CitationCyberreason Anchor December 2019CitationBitdefender Trickbot VNC module Whitepaper 2021
Enterprise	T1008	Fallback Channels	TrickBot can use secondary C2 servers for communication after establishing connectivity and relaying victim information to primary C2 servers.CitationCyberreason Anchor December 2019
Enterprise	T1021.005	VNCSub-technique	TrickBot has used a VNC module to monitor the victim and collect information to pivot to valuable systems on the network CitationTrickbot VNC module July 2021CitationBitdefender Trickbot VNC module Whitepaper 2021
Enterprise	T1027	Obfuscated Files or Information	TrickBot uses non-descriptive names to hide functionality.[1]
Enterprise	T1543.003	Windows ServiceSub-technique	TrickBot establishes persistence by creating an autostart service that allows it to run whenever the machine boots.CitationTrend Micro Trickbot Nov 2018
Enterprise	T1027.002	Software PackingSub-technique	TrickBot leverages a custom packer to obfuscate its functionality.[1]
Enterprise	T1552.001	Credentials In FilesSub-technique	TrickBot can obtain passwords stored in files from several applications such as Outlook, Filezilla, OpenSSH, OpenVPN and WinSCP.CitationTrend Micro Trickbot Nov 2018CitationCyberreason Anchor December 2019 Additionally, it searches for the ".vnc.lnk" affix to steal VNC credentials.[7]
Enterprise	T1204.002	Malicious FileSub-technique	TrickBot has attempted to get users to launch malicious documents to deliver its payload. [7]CitationCyberreason Anchor December 2019
Enterprise	T1573.001	Symmetric CryptographySub-technique	TrickBot uses a custom crypter leveraging Microsoft’s CryptoAPI to encrypt C2 traffic.[2]Newer versions of TrickBot have been known to use `bcrypt` to encrypt and digitally sign responses to their C2 server. CitationBitdefender Trickbot C2 infra Nov 2020
Enterprise	T1087.001	Local AccountSub-technique	TrickBot collects the users of the system.[1]CitationTrend Micro Trickbot Nov 2018
Enterprise	T1135	Network Share Discovery	TrickBot module shareDll/mshareDll discovers network shares via the WNetOpenEnumA API.CitationESET Trickbot Oct 2020CitationBitdefender Trickbot March 2020
Enterprise	T1132.001	Standard EncodingSub-technique	TrickBot can Base64-encode C2 commands.CitationCyberreason Anchor December 2019
Enterprise	T1566.002	Spearphishing LinkSub-technique	TrickBot has been delivered via malicious links in phishing e-mails.CitationCyberreason Anchor December 2019
Enterprise	T1005	Data from Local System	TrickBot collects local files and information from the victim’s local machine.[1]
Enterprise	T1069	Permission Groups Discovery	TrickBot can identify the groups the user on a compromised host belongs to.CitationCyberreason Anchor December 2019
Enterprise	T1552.002	Credentials in RegistrySub-technique	TrickBot has retrieved PuTTY credentials by querying the `Software\SimonTatham\Putty\Sessions` registry key [7]
Enterprise	T1057	Process Discovery	TrickBot uses module networkDll for process list discovery.CitationESET Trickbot Oct 2020CitationBitdefender Trickbot March 2020
Enterprise	T1497.003	Time Based ChecksSub-technique	TrickBot has used `printf` and file I/O loops to delay process execution as part of API hammering.CitationJoe Sec Trickbot
Enterprise	T1219	Remote Access Tools	TrickBot uses vncDll module to remote control the victim machine.CitationESET Trickbot Oct 2020CitationBitdefender Trickbot March 2020
Enterprise	T1059.003	Windows Command ShellSub-technique	TrickBot has used macros in Excel documents to download and deploy the malware on the user’s machine.[7]
Enterprise	T1685	Disable or Modify Tools	TrickBot can disable Windows Defender.CitationTrend Micro Trickbot Nov 2018
Enterprise	T1036	Masquerading	The TrickBot downloader has used an icon to appear as a Microsoft Word document.CitationCyberreason Anchor December 2019
Enterprise	T1495	Firmware Corruption	TrickBot module "Trickboot" can write or erase the UEFI/BIOS firmware of a compromised device.CitationEclypsium Trickboot December 2020
Enterprise	T1140	Deobfuscate/Decode Files or Information	TrickBot decodes the configuration data and modules.[2]CitationCyberreason Anchor December 2019CitationJoe Sec Trickbot
Enterprise	T1018	Remote System Discovery	TrickBot can enumerate computers and network devices.CitationCyberreason Anchor December 2019
Enterprise	T1571	Non-Standard Port	Some TrickBot samples have used HTTP over ports 447 and 8082 for C2.[1][2][5] Newer versions of TrickBot have been known to use a custom communication protocol which sends the data unencrypted over port 443. CitationBitdefender Trickbot VNC module Whitepaper 2021
Enterprise	T1555.005	Password ManagersSub-technique	TrickBot can steal passwords from the KeePass open source password manager.CitationCyberreason Anchor December 2019
Enterprise	T1112	Modify Registry	TrickBot can modify registry entries.CitationTrend Micro Trickbot Nov 2018
Enterprise	T1553.002	Code SigningSub-technique	TrickBot has come with a signed downloader component.CitationCyberreason Anchor December 2019
Enterprise	T1110.004	Credential StuffingSub-technique	TrickBot uses brute-force attack against RDP with rdpscanDll module.CitationESET Trickbot Oct 2020CitationBitdefender Trickbot March 2020
Enterprise	T1083	File and Directory Discovery	TrickBot searches the system for all of the following file extensions: .avi, .mov, .mkv, .mpeg, .mpeg4, .mp4, .mp3, .wav, .ogg, .jpeg, .jpg, .png, .bmp, .gif, .tiff, .ico, .xlsx, and .zip. It can also obtain browsing history, cookies, and plug-in information.[1]CitationTrend Micro Trickbot Nov 2018
Enterprise	T1056.004	Credential API HookingSub-technique	TrickBot has the ability to capture RDP credentials by capturing the `CredEnumerateA` API[7]
Enterprise	T1007	System Service Discovery	TrickBot collects a list of install programs and services on the system’s machine.[1]
Enterprise	T1105	Ingress Tool Transfer	TrickBot downloads several additional files and saves them to the victim's machine.[5]CitationBitdefender Trickbot VNC module Whitepaper 2021
Enterprise	T1055	Process Injection	TrickBot has used `Nt*` Native API functions to inject code into legitimate processes such as `wermgr.exe`.CitationJoe Sec Trickbot
Enterprise	T1090.002	External ProxySub-technique	TrickBot has been known to reach a command and control server via one of nine proxy IP addresses. CitationBitdefender Trickbot C2 infra Nov 2020 CitationBitdefender Trickbot VNC module Whitepaper 2021
Enterprise	T1055.012	Process HollowingSub-technique	TrickBot injects into the svchost.exe process.[1][5][6]CitationCyberreason Anchor December 2019
Enterprise	T1564.003	Hidden WindowSub-technique	TrickBot has used a hidden VNC (hVNC) window to monitor the victim and collect information stealthily.CitationEmotet Deploys TrickBot
Enterprise	T1547.001	Registry Run Keys / Startup FolderSub-technique	TrickBot establishes persistence in the Startup folder.CitationESET Trickbot Oct 2020
Enterprise	T1071.001	Web ProtocolsSub-technique	TrickBot uses HTTPS to communicate with its C2 servers, to get malware updates, modules that perform most of the malware logic and various configuration files.[1]CitationCyberreason Anchor December 2019
Enterprise	T1027.013	Encrypted/Encoded FileSub-technique	TrickBot uses an AES CBC (256 bits) encryption algorithm for its loader and configuration files.[1]
Enterprise	T1555.003	Credentials from Web BrowsersSub-technique	TrickBot can obtain passwords stored in files from web browsers such as Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, and Microsoft Edge, sometimes using esentutl.CitationTrend Micro Trickbot Nov 2018CitationCyberreason Anchor December 2019CitationBitdefender Trickbot VNC module Whitepaper 2021
Enterprise	T1482	Domain Trust Discovery	TrickBot can gather information about domain trusts by utilizing Nltest.CitationFortinet TrickBotCitationCyberreason Anchor December 2019
Enterprise	T1016	System Network Configuration Discovery	TrickBot obtains the IP address, location, and other relevant network information from the victim’s machine.[1]CitationTrend Micro Trickbot Nov 2018CitationCyberreason Anchor December 2019
Enterprise	T1566.001	Spearphishing AttachmentSub-technique	TrickBot has used an email with an Excel sheet containing a malicious macro to deploy the malware[7]
Enterprise	T1087.003	Email AccountSub-technique	TrickBot collects email addresses from Outlook.CitationTrend Micro Trickbot Nov 2018
Enterprise	T1210	Exploitation of Remote Services	TrickBot utilizes EternalBlue and EternalRomance exploits for lateral movement in the modules wormwinDll, wormDll, mwormDll, nwormDll, tabDll.CitationESET Trickbot Oct 2020

Associated objects

Groups, software, and campaigns

G0092: TA505

TA505 is a cyber criminal group that has been active since at least 2014. TA505 is known for frequently changing malware, driving global trends in criminal malware distribution, and ransomware campaigns involving Clop.[1][2][3][4][5]

G0102: Wizard Spider

Wizard Spider is a Russia-based financially motivated threat group originally known for the creation and deployment of TrickBot since at least 2016. Wizard Spider possesses a diverse arsenal of tools and has conducted ransomware campaigns against a variety of organizations, ranging from major corporations to hospitals.[1][2][3]

Relationship explorer

All related ATT&CK context

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: 2.2
Created: Oct 17, 2018, 00:14 UTC (UTC+00:00)
Modified: Apr 10, 2024, 22:28 UTC (UTC+00:00)
Raw hash: 5668738896683613...

Imported snapshots across ATT&CK releases(2)

Release	Bundle imported	Object version	Modified	Status	Raw hash
19.2	Aug 6, 2026, 02:58 UTC (UTC+00:00)	2.2	Apr 10, 2024, 22:28 UTC (UTC+00:00)	Current bundle	`566873889668…`
19.1	Jul 14, 2026, 09:14 UTC (UTC+00:00)	2.2	Apr 10, 2024, 22:28 UTC (UTC+00:00)	Older bundle	`566873889668…`

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 JSON Open 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]
S2 Grupo TrickBot June 2017
Salinas, M., Holguin, J. (2017, June). Evolution of Trickbot. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
Open source URL
[2]
Fidelis TrickBot Oct 2016
Reaves, J. (2016, October 15). TrickBot: We Missed you, Dyre. Retrieved August 2, 2018.
Open source URL
[3]
IBM TrickBot Nov 2016
Keshet, L. (2016, November 09). Tricks of the Trade: A Deeper Look Into TrickBot’s Machinations. Retrieved August 2, 2018.
Open source URL
[4]
CrowdStrike Wizard Spider October 2020
Podlosky, A., Hanel, A. et al. (2020, October 16). WIZARD SPIDER Update: Resilient, Reactive and Resolute. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
Open source URL
[5]
Trend Micro Totbrick Oct 2016
Antazo, F. (2016, October 31). TSPY_TRICKLOAD.N. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
Open source URL
[6]
Microsoft Totbrick Oct 2017
Pornasdoro, A. (2017, October 12). Trojan:Win32/Totbrick. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
Open source URL
[7]
TrendMicro Trickbot Feb 2019
Llimos, N., Pascual, C.. (2019, February 12). Trickbot Adds Remote Application Credential-Grabbing Capabilities to Its Repertoire. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
Open source URL
[8]
TSPY_TRICKLOAD
(Citation: Trend Micro Totbrick Oct 2016)
[9]
Totbrick
(Citation: Trend Micro Totbrick Oct 2016) (Citation: Microsoft Totbrick Oct 2017)
[10]
TrickBot
(Citation: S2 Grupo TrickBot June 2017) (Citation: Trend Micro Totbrick Oct 2016) (Citation: TrendMicro Trickbot Feb 2019)
[11]
mitre-attackS0266
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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