FBI Seeks Public Help to Identify Chinese Hackers Behind Global Cyber Intrusions

FBI Seeks Public Help to Identify Chinese Hackers Behind Global Cyber Intrusions

November 5, 2024 at 12:36PM

The FBI is investigating cyber intrusions involving malware targeting sensitive data from companies and government networks by Chinese state-sponsored groups. Reports by Sophos reveal attacks leveraging multiple vulnerabilities, shifting from widespread to targeted attacks since 2021, compromising critical infrastructure mainly in South and Southeast Asia.

### Meeting Takeaways:

1. **FBI Investigation**: The FBI is seeking public assistance regarding a significant breach involving edge devices and computer networks belonging to various companies and government entities.

2. **Malware Deployment**: An Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) group has utilized malware (CVE-2020-12271) in widespread computer intrusions to steal sensitive data globally from firewalls.

3. **Campaign Overview**: Reports from cybersecurity vendor Sophos detail campaigns from 2018 to 2023 that exploited vulnerabilities in edge infrastructure appliances, with a focus on surveillance, sabotage, and cyber espionage attributed to Chinese state-sponsored groups (APT31, APT41, and Volt Typhoon).

4. **Targeted Entities**: Cyber attacks have targeted critical infrastructure and government facilities, especially in South and Southeast Asia. Notable targets include nuclear energy suppliers and military hospitals.

5. **Vulnerability Exploitation**: Multiple zero-day vulnerabilities in Sophos firewalls have been identified as methods for the attackers to deliver payloads, transitioning from broad attacks to focused efforts against specific organizations.

6. **Deeper Access Tactics**: Since mid-2022, attack methods have evolved to gain deeper access, evade detection, and use sophisticated malware like Asnarök and Gh0st RAT, establishing persistent remote access to Sophos XG Firewalls.

7. **Pygmy Goat Backdoor**: A developed rootkit named Pygmy Goat enables attackers to interact with infected devices via standard network traffic, highlighting the competency of its developers.

8. **Research Ties**: Sophos linked the rootkit to a Chinese threat actor known as Tstark, with possible connections to UESTC in Chengdu, indicating organized vulnerability research associated with state-sponsored operations.

9. **Bug Bounty Reports**: Sophos has noticed suspiciously helpful bug bounty reports likely from individuals associated with Chengdu research institutions, suggesting ongoing exploitation and intelligence sharing between state-sponsored attackers.

10. **Wider Implications**: The increased targeting of edge network devices and compromised Canadian government networks highlights a strategic cyber threat landscape posed by Chinese state-sponsored actors, who are also accused of pursuing economic, diplomatic, and repression-related objectives.

11. **Further Engagement**: For continued updates and analysis of cyber security threats, follow the organization on Twitter and LinkedIn.

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