If you thought some cyber espionage groups had disappeared, this case proves the opposite. Transparent Tribe, also known as APT36, has resurfaced with a new wave of targeted attacks against government agencies, universities, and strategic entities in India. This time, the group is using increasingly sophisticated techniques designed to remain stealthy and persist inside compromised systems for long periods.
At TecnetOne, we closely track these operations because they often anticipate trends that eventually spread to other countries and sectors.
Who Is Transparent Tribe and Why You Should Know About Them
Transparent Tribe is not a new actor. It is an Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) group that has been active since at least 2013, specializing in cyber espionage campaigns. Historically, its primary focus has been India, targeting government, academic, and strategic institutions.
Unlike more high-profile groups, APT36 has maintained a relatively low profile, but with consistent and highly targeted activity. Its mission is not quick financial fraud or noisy ransomware attacks, but rather the silent collection of sensitive intelligence.
The New Attack: Well-Executed Social Engineering
The most recent campaign, analyzed by cybersecurity firm CYFIRMA, begins with a technique that remains surprisingly effective: spear phishing.
Victims receive an email that appears legitimate and is tailored specifically to them or their organization. The message includes a ZIP file containing what looks like an official PDF document—but it isn’t.
The file is actually a Windows shortcut (LNK) disguised as a real PDF. It even displays the full content of the document when opened, avoiding suspicion.
What Happens When You Click
Opening the file does not launch a standard PDF viewer. Instead, the system silently executes an HTA (HTML Application) script using mshta.exe, a legitimate Windows tool frequently abused by attackers because it often evades security controls.
This script:
- Decrypts the final malware payload directly in memory
- Loads a Remote Access Trojan (RAT
- Opens a legitimate decoy PDF so the user remains unaware
While you read the document, the attacker is already inside your system.
Learn more: Cyberespionage Against Executives and Politicians
Malware That Adapts to Your Antivirus
One of the most disturbing aspects of this campaign is the malware’s adaptive behavior. The RAT adjusts its persistence mechanisms based on the antivirus software detected on the infected system.
For example:
- If Kaspersky is detected, it creates hidden directories, deploys obfuscated payloads, and ensures execution at startup
- With Quick Heal, it uses batch scripts and malicious shortcuts+
- If Avast, AVG, or Avira are present, it copies itself directly into the startup folder
- If no major antivirus is detected, it combines registry modifications, scripts, and delayed execution techniques
This demonstrates a high level of development and deep knowledge of the Windows ecosystem.
What the RAT Can Do Once Installed
The main malicious file, identified as iinneldc.dll, functions as a fully capable RAT. Once active, attackers can:
- Remotely control the system
- Manage files (copy, delete, modify)
- Steal sensitive information
- Capture screenshots
- Manipulate the clipboard
- Manage running processes
In short, the system is no longer under the user’s control.
Persistent and Strategic Espionage
According to CYFIRMA, APT36 remains a highly persistent and strategic threat, with a clear focus on:
- Government organizations
- Educational institutions
- Geopolitically sensitive sectors
The objective is not disruption, but long-term intelligence gathering, which is particularly concerning when universities and research institutions are involved.
More Campaigns, Same Tactics
This is not the only recent operation attributed to Transparent Tribe. In previous weeks, researchers identified another campaign using an LNK file disguised as an official government notice, allegedly related to WhatsApp.
The lure was especially clever: a legitimate security advisory issued by Pakistan’s CERT regarding a fraud campaign. In other words, attackers weaponized a real security warning to infect systems.
Infrastructure and Remote Control
Once deployed, the malware connects to a carefully designed command-and-control (C2) infrastructure, using:
- Obfuscated HTTP endpoints
- Reverse path communication to evade detection
- Windows registry-based persistence
Even if some C2 servers are currently inactive, the persistence mechanisms ensure that access can be reactivated at any time.
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Not an Isolated Case: Other Groups Are Evolving Too
The report also links recent activity from Patchwork (another APT group believed to be of Indian origin) to a new trojan called StreamSpy.
This malware combines:
- HTTP and WebSocket communication
- Advanced persistence
- Remote module download and execution
- Large-scale data collection
The trend is clear: APT groups are modernizing their toolkits, sharing resources, and refining evasion techniques.
Key Takeaways from This Case
Even though these attacks target India, the techniques used are universal. At TecnetOne, we highlight several critical lessons:
- LNK files remain extremely dangerous
- Legitimate system tools are commonly abused by attackers
- Antivirus software alone is no longer sufficient
- User awareness remains a critical line of defense
- Early detection makes the difference between an incident and a disaster
Digital Espionage Is Not Slowing Down
Transparent Tribe proves that cyber espionage is not only alive, but constantly evolving. Groups like APT36 operate with patience, precision, and clearly defined objectives.
If this case makes anything clear, it’s that the most dangerous threats don’t always come with visible ransomware or extortion messages. Sometimes, the greatest risk is the attacker who enters quietly—and stays.
At TecnetOne, we believe that understanding these campaigns isn’t just about staying informed—it’s about anticipating what comes next. Because in cybersecurity, the adversary attacking others today may be targeting you tomorrow.
