China state-backed hackers compromised networks of at least 6 U.S. state governments, research finds


A Chinese state-sponsored hacking group efficiently compromised the pc networks of at least six U.S. state governments between May 2021 and February this 12 months, based on research printed by cybersecurity agency Mandiant on Tuesday.

The group, often known as APT41, allegedly exploited vulnerabilities in net purposes to get their preliminary foothold into state authorities networks, Mandiant stated.

APT41, which Mandiant claims carries out state-sponsored espionage on behalf of Beijing, took benefit of software program flaws and rapidly exploited safety vulnerabilities that had been made public by researchers. The hackers additionally tailored their instruments to assault by way of completely different strategies, it stated.

“APT41’s latest exercise in opposition to U.S. state governments consists of vital new capabilities, from new assault vectors to post-compromise instruments and strategies,” the researchers stated.

“APT41 can rapidly adapt their preliminary entry strategies by re-compromising an surroundings by a unique vector, or by quickly operationalizing a contemporary vulnerability.”

Mandiant, the corporate behind Tuesday’s research, is a Nasdaq-listed cybersecurity agency based mostly within the U.S. On Tuesday, Google stated that it plans to acquire the corporate for round $5.4 billion.

Other researchers, together with these from BlackBerry, have previously identified APT41 as “a prolific Chinese state-sponsored cyberthreat group.” This relies on research the corporate printed final 12 months that builds on different experiences on APT41 and uncovers different cyberattacks the group has carried out.

China’s embassy within the U.Okay. was not instantly out there for remark when contacted by CNBC. China has repeatedly denied that it engages in cyberespionage.

In September 2020, the U.S. Department of Justice indicted 5 Chinese nationals, together with some it stated had been half of APT41, with laptop intrusions affecting over 100 sufferer firms within the U.S. and overseas.

Mandiant stated Tuesday that APT41 seemed to be “undeterred” by the indictment and its objectives stay “unknown.”

“Overall objectives of APT41’s marketing campaign stay unknown. Their persistence to achieve entry into authorities networks, exemplified by re-compromising earlier victims and focusing on a number of businesses throughout the identical state, present that no matter they’re after it is necessary. We have discovered them all over the place, and that’s unnerving,” the researchers stated.

Last month, FBI Director Christopher Wray (*6*) of “attempting to steal” data and know-how and launching cyberattacks.

Last 12 months, the U.S., European Union, NATO and different allies blamed China for themassive cyberattack on Microsoft Exchange email servers.

Zhao Lijin, a spokesperson for China’s overseas ministry, denied that China was behind the Microsoft Exchange attack.

“China firmly opposes and combats any type of cyberattacks, and won’t encourage, assist or condone any cyberattacks,” Zhao stated in July.



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