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Cyberattacks are becoming increasingly common, with hackers exploiting vulnerabilities in the systems of tech giants. Many of these threats are reportedly linked to China. In the past, there have been accusations of targeted attacks amidst geopolitical tensions. Now, Google’s Threat Intelligence Group (TAG) has uncovered a China-linked cyber espionage group known as UNC6384 that has been targeting diplomats in Southeast Asia.
According to a Bloomberg report, Google claims about two dozen diplomats have fallen victim to these hacking attempts. The attackers use social engineering techniques, tricking individuals into downloading what appears to be legitimate software updates. Once installed, the hidden malware provides hackers with remote access to the compromised systems.
The hackers employ a method called adversary-in-the-middle attacks, which exploit browsers when connecting to public Wi-Fi networks and redirect users to a login screen. The targeted individuals are redirected to download a fake setup called STATICPLUGIN, which carries a valid digital certificate to appear legitimate. Once installed, a hidden tool called SOGU.SEC runs on the computer’s memory, making it difficult to detect. The malware then controls the compromised system remotely, stealing files and carrying out commands covertly.
Google has taken proactive measures to stop these malicious campaigns by blocking such domains, revoking compromised certificates, and notifying affected users. These revelations are unsurprising given that diplomats are often prime targets for cyberattacks due to their involvement in negotiations and gathering intelligence. However, they highlight the resourcefulness of these threat actors.
While China consistently denies being behind any state-sponsored hacking attempts, similar attacks have been reported recently. Singapore warned about a China-linked group, UNC3886, targeting its critical infrastructure. These incidents underscore the need for Southeast Asian states to enhance cybersecurity and collaborate with tech giants like Google to uncover hidden digital operations.
