All news with #china nexus tag

🔒 Google and industry partners disrupted infrastructure used by suspected China-linked espionage group UNC2814, which deployed a C-based backdoor named GRIDTIDE that abuses the Google Sheets API to conceal command-and-control traffic. GRIDTIDE supports file upload/download and arbitrary shell execution and was observed on endpoints containing PII. Google terminated attacker-controlled Cloud projects, disabled abused accounts, and is notifying impacted organizations while offering support.

🔐 Google’s Threat Intelligence Group, Mandiant, and partners disrupted a global espionage campaign attributed to a suspected Chinese actor tracked as UNC2814 that infiltrated telecom firms and government agencies across dozens of countries. The actor deployed a new C-based backdoor named GRIDTIDE that abused the Google Sheets API for covert command-and-control, authenticating with a hardcoded service account key and polling spreadsheet cells for instructions. GRIDTIDE supports execution, upload and download commands via URL-safe Base64 exchanges and hides output in sheet cells; Google and partners disabled cloud projects, revoked API access, sinkholed domains, and offered victim support.

🔒Anthropic said three China-based AI firms — DeepSeek, Moonshot and MiniMax — executed more than 16 million exchanges with its Claude model using roughly 24,000 fraudulent accounts to perform model distillation, breaching terms of service and regional access restrictions. The company described the activity as deliberate capability extraction and attributed the campaigns via IP address correlation, request metadata and infrastructure signals. To mitigate further misuse, Anthropic has implemented detection systems for API attack patterns, tools to detect chain-of-thought elicitation and coordinated account activity, stronger verification for high-risk accounts and product-, API- and model-level safeguards.

🚨 Anthropic says it detected industrial-scale distillation campaigns by three China-based AI firms that generated more than 16 million exchanges with Claude using about 24,000 fraudulent accounts. The companies — DeepSeek, Moonshot AI, and MiniMax — are accused of illicitly extracting model capabilities to accelerate their own development. Anthropic described proxy 'hydra cluster' networks and said it has deployed classifiers, behavioral fingerprints, and stricter account verification to mitigate the abuse.

🔒 Researchers report a China-linked APT exploited a previously unknown vulnerability in Dell RecoverPoint for Virtual Machines (CVE-2026-22769) to achieve unauthenticated root command execution by leveraging hardcoded Apache Tomcat Manager credentials. Google’s Mandiant traced compromises to UNC6201, which deployed web shells and backdoors including BRICKSTORM and the newer GRIMBOLT. Dell released a patch (6.0.3.1 HF1) and a remediation script; customers are urged to upgrade and isolate appliances behind segmented networks.

🔒 A maximum-severity vulnerability (CVE-2026-22769, CVSS 10.0) in Dell RecoverPoint for Virtual Machines has been exploited as a zero-day by a suspected China-nexus cluster tracked as UNC6201 since mid-2024. The flaw is a hard-coded Apache Tomcat Manager admin credential that allows unauthenticated attackers to upload a web shell (SLAYSTYLE) and deploy native backdoors (BRICKSTORM, later GRIMBOLT) for root access and persistence. Dell urges customers to upgrade to 6.0.3.1 HF1 (or follow staged upgrades from 5.3 SP4 P1) and to isolate RecoverPoint appliances on trusted, segmented networks until patched.

🔒 Dell has released a patch for a critical zero-day, CVE-2026-22769, in RecoverPoint for Virtual Machines after Mandiant reported exploitation by a suspected Chinese APT cluster since mid-2024. The flaw is a hardcoded credential that enables unauthenticated access to the underlying OS and potential root-level persistence on versions prior to 6.0.3.1 HF1. Mandiant links the intrusions to UNC6201, which deployed malware such as Slaystyle, Brickstorm and a native AOT C# backdoor called Grimbolt, and observed novel TTPs including VM "ghost NICs" and iptables-based single-packet authorization.

🔒 Notepad++ has released version 8.9.2 to remediate a hijacked update mechanism abused by an advanced China-linked actor to selectively deliver malware. The maintainer implemented a "double lock" design that verifies both the signed installer (added in 8.8.9+) and the signed XML returned by the update server. The WinGUp auto-updater was hardened by removing libcurl.dll, dropping insecure cURL SSL options, and restricting plugin-management execution to binaries signed with WinGUp's certificate. The update also fixes a high-severity Unsafe Search Path flaw (CVE-2026-25926); users should upgrade and download installers only from the official domain.

🔒 Security researchers report that a suspected Chinese state-backed actor, UNC6201, has been exploiting a critical hardcoded-credential vulnerability (CVE-2026-22769) in Dell RecoverPoint for Virtual Machines since mid-2024. Dell says versions prior to 6.0.3.1 HF1 permit unauthenticated access that can lead to root-level persistence. The intruders deployed a new C# backdoor called Grimbolt and used stealthy VMware pivot techniques, including hidden "Ghost NICs." Customers should apply Dell's updates and mitigations immediately.

🛡️ Google Threat Intelligence Group warns state-backed actors are abusing Gemini across the full attack lifecycle, from reconnaissance and phishing-lure generation to C2 development and data exfiltration. Groups linked to China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia used the model for target profiling, code generation, translation, vulnerability testing, and troubleshooting. Google says it has disabled abusive accounts and implemented targeted classifier defenses to make misuse harder.

🔒 Unit 42 identified that between June and December 2025 the state-sponsored group Lotus Blossom hijacked the Notepad++ update infrastructure by compromising a shared hosting provider and intercepting WinGUp traffic. Attackers delivered malicious NSIS installers that launched either a Lua-script chain loading Cobalt Strike Beacon or a DLL sideload that deployed the Chrysalis backdoor. Notepad++ released patches, moved hosting, implemented XML signature verification, and Unit 42 published IOCs and hunting guidance for defenders.

🔒 Singapore’s Cyber Security Agency disclosed that Operation Cyber Guardian disrupted attacks by Chinese-linked APT UNC3886 targeting the nation’s four major telcos between summer 2025 and early 2026. The response involved over 100 cyber defenders across six agencies and identified use of a zero-day and rootkits to maintain persistent access. CSA reported no evidence of service disruption or sensitive personal data exfiltration and implemented remediation and enhanced monitoring. Telcos have been urged to continue strengthening systems and vigilance against re-entry attempts.

🔒 Singapore's Cyber Security Agency says China-linked threat actor UNC3886 breached the country's four largest telcos — Singtel, StarHub, M1, and Simba — at least once last year, gaining limited access to critical systems but failing to disrupt services or exfiltrate confirmed customer data. Investigators found a zero-day used to bypass perimeter firewalls and rootkits employed for stealth and persistence. The government launched Operation Cyber Guardian, mobilized multiple agencies, and contained the intrusions while increasing monitoring across critical sectors.

🛡️ Singapore's Cyber Security Agency (CSA) disclosed that the China-linked espionage group UNC3886 executed a deliberate, targeted campaign against the nation's telecommunications sector, naming M1, SIMBA Telecom, Singtel and StarHub as targets. The agency said the actor used sophisticated tools, including a weaponized zero-day and kernel-level rootkits, to gain unauthorized access to portions of telco networks. CSA reported no evidence of customer personal data exfiltration or service disruption and said a defensive operation called CYBER GUARDIAN has closed the group's access points and expanded monitoring across affected operators.

🛡️ Cisco Talos researchers describe DKnife as an ELF-based Linux toolkit used since 2019 to hijack router traffic and perform adversary-in-the-middle operations. The framework has seven modules — including yitiji.bin to create a bridged TAP interface and mmdown.bin to drop malicious APKs — enabling DPI, credential harvesting, and delivery of backdoors such as ShadowPad and DarkNimbus. Talos attributes the activity to a China-nexus actor and noted C2 servers remained active as of January 2026.

🔍 Cisco Talos researchers uncovered DKnife, a Linux-based gateway-monitoring and adversary-in-the-middle framework used since at least 2019 and active through January 2026. The toolkit targets routers and edge devices running CentOS/Red Hat Enterprise Linux, using seven ELF components to perform DPI, traffic interception, DNS hijacking and in-line substitution of Android and Windows downloads. Talos attributes the framework with high confidence to Chinese-nexus actors and notes overlaps with campaigns delivering WizardNet, DarkNimbus and ShadowPad.

🔒 Cisco Talos researchers disclosed DKnife, a modular Linux-based adversary-in-the-middle (AitM) framework used by China-linked actors since at least 2019. The toolkit deploys seven router-focused implants to perform deep packet inspection, TLS termination, DNS and update hijacking, credential harvesting, and malware delivery via intercepted APKs and binary replacement. Operators used DKnife to push ShadowPad and DarkNimbus variants and to target Chinese-language services and app updates through compromised routers and edge devices.

🔍 Cisco Talos disclosed DKnife, a modular Linux-based gateway monitoring and adversary-in-the-middle (AitM) framework that inspects, manipulates, and redirects network traffic on edge devices and routers. It comprises seven ELF components that hijack DNS, Android app updates, and Windows binary downloads to deliver ShadowPad, DarkNimbus, and other backdoors while harvesting credentials and disrupting security-product traffic. Artifacts and Simplified Chinese strings strongly indicate China-nexus operators; Talos observed active C2 infrastructure as of January 2026.

🔍 Check Point Research identified a China-linked cluster named Amaranth-Dragon that conducted narrowly focused cyber espionage across Southeast Asia throughout 2025, primarily targeting government and law enforcement entities. Attacks exploited CVE-2025-8088 in WinRAR and used DLL side-loading to deploy an Amaranth Loader and the Havoc C2, while variants like TGAmaranth RAT leveraged a hard-coded Telegram bot. The operators limited exposure by geo-restricting Cloudflare-protected C2s and exhibited tooling and operational overlaps with the APT41 ecosystem.

🔍 Check Point Research disclosed highly targeted cyber espionage campaigns across ASEAN in 2025 attributed to Amaranth-Dragon, a newly identified actor tied to the APT 41 ecosystem. The group rapidly weaponized newly disclosed vulnerabilities, notably a critical WinRAR flaw, and used realistic lures linked to political and security events. Operators favored country-restricted infrastructure, reputable cloud services, and stealthy tooling to quietly collect intelligence from government and law enforcement targets.