# GREF: threat group profile

> GREF is a threat group thought to operate from China. Public reporting about it is still limited. This free profile brings together what is known about it, so you can judge the risk to you. It lists the other names the group goes by and links to every public report behind it.

Canonical page: https://www.edgeprotect.io/threat-actors/gref
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## At a glance

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Attack techniques | 0 |
| Thought to operate from | China |
| Other names | 0 |
| Public reports | 1 |

## Who is GREF?

GREF is a threat group thought to operate from China. Public reporting about it is still limited.

### What public reporting says

> GREF is a China-aligned APT group that has been active since at least March 2017. They are known for using custom backdoors, loaders, and ancillary tools in their targeted attacks. Recently, they have been attributed to two active Android campaigns that distribute the BadBazaar malware through malicious apps on official and alternative app stores. GREF has targeted Android users, particularly Uyghurs and other Turkic ethnic minorities outside of China, using trojanized versions of popular messaging apps like Signal and Telegram.

## Public reports about GREF

- https://www.welivesecurity.com/en/eset-research/badbazaar-espionage-tool-targets-android-users-trojanized-signal-telegram-apps/

## Frequently asked questions

### Who is GREF?

GREF is a threat group thought to operate from China. Public reporting about it is still limited.

### Where is GREF thought to be based?

Public reporting places GREF as operating from China. Attribution is never certain: it rests on the tools, infrastructure and targets researchers have seen.

### How do I know if GREF is a risk to my business?

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