# PROMETHIUM: threat group profile

> PROMETHIUM is a threat group thought to operate from Turkey. Public reporting links it to 9 attack techniques. This free profile shows how it works, stage by stage, 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/promethium
Breadcrumb: [Home](https://www.edgeprotect.io/) > [Threat groups](https://www.edgeprotect.io/threat-actors) > PROMETHIUM

## At a glance

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Attack techniques | 9 (plus 10 sub-techniques) |
| Thought to operate from | Turkey |
| Other names | 2 |
| Public reports | 3 |

## Who is PROMETHIUM?

PROMETHIUM is a threat group thought to operate from Turkey. Public reporting links it to 9 attack techniques.

### Also known as

StrongPity, G0056

Security companies each give the same group their own name, so one group can have many.

### What public reporting says

> PROMETHIUM is an activity group that has been active as early as 2012. The group primarily uses Truvasys, a first-stage malware that has been in circulation for several years. Truvasys has been involved in several attack campaigns, where it has masqueraded as one of server common computer utilities, including WinUtils, TrueCrypt, WinRAR, or SanDisk. In each of the campaigns, Truvasys malware evolved with additional features—this shows a close relationship between the activity groups behind the campaigns and the developers of the malware.

## How does PROMETHIUM attack? Stage by stage

Each technique is a known way attackers research, get in, stay hidden or do damage. Here are the 9 linked to PROMETHIUM. Some techniques belong to more than one stage. Public reporting also lists 10 more specific variations of them, called sub-techniques.

### 1. Research (0)

- None linked in public reporting.

### 2. Preparation (1)

- T1587: Develop Capabilities

### 3. Getting in (2)

- T1078: Valid Accounts
- T1189: Drive-by Compromise

### 4. Running code (1)

- T1204: User Execution

### 5. Staying in (4)

- T1078: Valid Accounts
- T1205: Traffic Signaling
- T1543: Create or Modify System Process
- T1547: Boot or Logon Autostart Execution

### 6. Taking control (3)

- T1078: Valid Accounts
- T1543: Create or Modify System Process
- T1547: Boot or Logon Autostart Execution

### 7. Hiding (3)

- T1036: Masquerading
- T1078: Valid Accounts
- T1205: Traffic Signaling

### 8. Disabling defences (1)

- T1553: Subvert Trust Controls

### 9. Stealing passwords (0)

- None linked in public reporting.

### 10. Looking around (0)

- None linked in public reporting.

### 11. Spreading (0)

- None linked in public reporting.

### 12. Gathering data (0)

- None linked in public reporting.

### 13. Keeping contact (1)

- T1205: Traffic Signaling

### 14. Taking data out (0)

- None linked in public reporting.

### 15. Causing damage (0)

- None linked in public reporting.

## Public reports about PROMETHIUM

- https://www.microsoft.com/security/blog/2016/12/14/twin-zero-day-attacks-promethium-and-neodymium-target-individuals-in-europe/
- https://www.virusbulletin.com/conference/vb2016/abstracts/last-minute-paper-strongpity-waterhole-attacks-targeting-italian-and-belgian-encryption-users
- https://attack.mitre.org/groups/G0056/

## Frequently asked questions

### Who is PROMETHIUM?

PROMETHIUM is a threat group thought to operate from Turkey. Public reporting links it to 9 attack techniques.

### Where is PROMETHIUM thought to be based?

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

### How does PROMETHIUM attack?

Public reporting links PROMETHIUM to 9 attack techniques. Most of them are about staying in, taking control and hiding.

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

Create an account and tell us the software you run. We match it against known flaws, including those linked to threat groups, rank each one from 0 to 100 and tell you as soon as we spot something that affects you.

## Check whether it matters to your business

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