Recent cybersecurity investigations have revealed that state-sponsored cyber threat actors from the People's Republic of China (PRC) are actively targeting global networks. These actors are focusing on critical infrastructure sectors such as telecommunications, government, transportation, lodging, and military networks. Their primary targets include large backbone routers of major telecommunications providers, as well as provider edge (PE) and customer edge (CE) routers. By compromising these devices, the actors maintain persistent access and leverage trusted connections to infiltrate other networks. This activity is linked to known threat groups like Salt Typhoon and GhostEmperor.
The tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) employed by these Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) actors include exploiting publicly known vulnerabilities in network devices to gain initial access. Notably, they have not been observed using zero-day vulnerabilities but continue to exploit existing weaknesses. The actors modify network configurations to maintain long-term access, often using obfuscation techniques to evade detection. Their operations have been observed in countries including the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.
The advisory highlights the importance of understanding the full scope of these threats. The APT actors' activities include lateral movement across networks, data exfiltration through compromised routers, and leveraging multi-hop proxies for command and control. The advisory provides detailed mitigation strategies to help organizations detect and respond to these threats effectively.
The primary threat involves the exploitation of network device vulnerabilities by Chinese state-sponsored APT actors. These actors target known vulnerabilities such as CVE-2024-21887 in Ivanti Connect Secure, CVE-2024-3400 in Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS, and CVE-2023-20273 in Cisco IOS XE. These vulnerabilities allow for unauthorized access and privilege escalation, enabling the actors to maintain persistent access to compromised networks.
The impact of these threats is significant, with potential consequences including unauthorized data access, network disruptions, and long-term espionage activities. The actors use sophisticated techniques such as modifying access control lists (ACLs), enabling non-standard ports for remote access, and deploying virtual containers on network devices to evade detection. Industries most at risk include telecommunications, government agencies, and critical infrastructure providers.
Clients across various industries could face severe operational disruptions due to these threats. The compromise of network devices can lead to data breaches, loss of sensitive information, and financial losses due to service interruptions. Additionally, organizations may suffer reputational damage if customer data is exposed or if critical services are disrupted.
From a compliance perspective, these threats pose significant challenges. Organizations may face regulatory scrutiny and potential penalties if they fail to protect sensitive data adequately. Ensuring compliance with cybersecurity regulations requires proactive measures to detect and mitigate these threats effectively.
To mitigate the risks posed by these APT actors, organizations should implement the following measures:
By adopting these measures, organizations can reduce their exposure to these threats and enhance their overall cybersecurity posture. Continuous monitoring and proactive threat detection are essential components of an effective defense strategy.
1898 & Co. is actively addressing the evolving threat landscape by offering specialized services designed to counter emerging cyber threats. Our team provides comprehensive threat intelligence services that help clients stay informed about the latest TTPs used by state-sponsored actors. We also offer vulnerability assessment services to identify and remediate weaknesses in network infrastructure.
Our organization collaborates with industry partners and government agencies to share threat intelligence and develop effective mitigation strategies. We are committed to ongoing research and development efforts to enhance our clients' security capabilities. Our case studies demonstrate successful mitigations against similar threats, showcasing our expertise in protecting critical infrastructure.
For clients seeking additional support, 1898 & Co offers tailored security solutions that align with industry standards such as IEC 62443. Our approach focuses on delivering high-quality services that address specific client needs while maintaining compliance with relevant regulations.
Security Advisory: Countering Chinese State-Sponsored Cyber Threats