HOMETHREATSSymbiote
APT / THREAT GROUP🕵️ ESPIONAGEADVANCED

Symbiote

2
aliases
Last seen:Mar 17, 2026

Intelligence Profile

A malware capable of capturing credentials and enabling backdoor access, implemented as a userland rootkit. It uses three methods for hiding its network activity, by hooking and hijacking 1) fopen/fopen64, 2) eBPF, 3) a set of libpcap functions.

Threat Analysis

Symbiote is a advanced-sophistication threat actor of undetermined national origin, engaged in cyber operations with a primary motivation of espionage.

The group's espionage-oriented operations suggest a state-sponsored or state-aligned mandate, typically focused on stealing intellectual property, government secrets, or military intelligence. Targets are usually selected for strategic value rather than financial gain.

Classified as an advanced threat actor, Symbiote likely develops or acquires zero-day exploits, employs custom malware toolchains, and demonstrates long-term persistence capabilities — hallmarks of a well-resourced operation consistent with nation-state backing.

External References

Quick Facts

TypeAPT / Threat Group
Motivation🕵️ espionage
Sophisticationadvanced
Aliases2

Also Known As

elf.symbioteSymbiote

External Intelligence

Malpedia: elf.symbiote

Research Links

Data sourced from Malpedia, Ransomware.live, RansomLook, and CTIWATCH OSINT collection. Actor attribution is based on available intelligence and may be incomplete.
Symbiote — APT / Threat Group | Threat Intelligence | CTIWATCH.COM