US Faces National Security Emergency as Chinese Hackers Breach 200 Firms
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US Faces National Security Emergency as Chinese Hackers Breach 200 Firms

The Chinese state-sponsored hacking campaign Salt Typhoon compromises over 200 US companies, exposing critical infrastructure vulnerabilities in a sweeping espionage operation.

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By MoneyOval Bureau

3 min read

Image for illustrative purpose.
Image for illustrative purpose.

An unprecedented global cyber espionage operation dubbed Salt Typhoon has compromised at least 200 US companies, according to FBI officials.

This Chinese state-sponsored campaign has simultaneously breached networks in over 80 countries, targeting critical infrastructure sectors and telecommunications giants worldwide.

A coalition of 13 countries, including the US and its Five Eyes partners, issued a joint advisory exposing three Chinese firms fueling the campaign.

China's military intelligence accuses these companies of providing cyber tools and services, enabling extensive spying since at least 2019.

Scope of Salt Typhoon’s Cyber Espionage

Initially known to have targeted nine US telecom companies, the campaign’s reach has dramatically expanded.

FBI Assistant Director Brett Leatherman called the operation one of history's most sweeping cyber espionage efforts, breaking into government, transportation, lodging, and military networks globally.

The hackers primarily penetrate backbone routers and implant persistent backdoors by modifying firmware.

This broad targeting violates expectations of privacy worldwide, with the attack compromising the sensitive communications data of senior US politicians during the 2024 election cycle, highlighting the campaign's political and strategic reach.

Did you know?
Salt Typhoon has a focused strategy of compromising critical communication infrastructure, such as routers and switches, to gain access to sensitive data. They have targeted major U.S. telecom companies like Verizon, AT&T, and Lumen.

Role of Chinese Technology Firms

The advisory names Sichuan Juxinhe Network Technology Co. Ltd., Beijing Huanyu Tianqiong Information Technology Co., Ltd., and Sichuan Zhixin Ruijie Network Technology Co., Ltd., accusing them of providing cyber-related products to China’s Ministry of State Security and military units.

These firms have been instrumental in enabling Salt Typhoon, supplying hardware and software tools exploited by state-backed hackers to gain long-term, hard-to-detect access to critical networks globally.

ALSO READ | Quantum security breakthrough enables telecom-ready data protection

Expanding Targets Beyond Telecommunications

Beyond telecommunications providers like AT&T, Verizon, and Charter Communications, Salt Typhoon’s scope now includes government and military infrastructure.

The hackers take advantage of known weaknesses in important network devices, like CVE-2024-21887 and CVE-2024-3400, instead of using new, unknown attacks.

This exploitation of well-documented flaws underscores urgent challenges in patch management and cybersecurity postures across global industries.

International Response and National Security Implications

The joint advisory from 13 nations marks a rare unified front against Chinese state-sponsored cyber operations. Officials urge immediate action to strengthen defenses and close security gaps exposed by Salt Typhoon’s expansive infiltration.

The FBI and CISA emphasize that this campaign represents a national security emergency. The incident highlights vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure and the persistent threat posed by state-backed cyber espionage, calling for enhanced global cooperation and resilience.

The evolving threat landscape demands vigilance, improved cybersecurity practices, and continued international collaboration to counter increasingly sophisticated state-sponsored campaigns.

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