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The U.S. Justice Department has indicted 12 Chinese nationals for their alleged involvement in state-linked cyber operations. The individuals include employees of the Chinese technology firm i-Soon, members of the APT27 group (also known as Emissary Panda, TG-3390, Bronze Union, and Lucky Mouse), and two officers from China's Ministry of Public Security. These indictments shed light on the hacking tools and methods allegedly employed in a global hacking scandal. The Justice Department stated that the Ministry of State Security (MSS) and Ministry of Public Security (MPS) utilized an extensive network of private companies, including i-Soon, to conduct unauthorized computer intrusions in the U.S. and elsewhere.

The U.S. DoJ charges these individuals with data theft and suppressing dissent worldwide. i-Soon, identified as one of the private companies involved, allegedly provided tools and methods to customers and hacked for the PRC (People's Republic of China). These actions highlight a significant cybersecurity concern involving state-sponsored actors and their use of private firms to conduct cyber espionage.

ImgSrc: assets3.cbsnews

References :

• bsky.app: US Justice Department has charged Chinese state security officers and APT27 and i-Soon Chinese hackers linked to network breaches and cyberattacks targeting victims worldwide since 2011.
• CyberInsider: U.S. Charges 12 Chinese Nationals Over Decade-Long Cyber Espionage Campaign
• The Cyber Express: The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) has taken action against a major cyber threat, opening indictments against 12 Chinese nationals, including two officers from China’s Ministry of Public Security (MPS) and several employees of the Chinese technology firm i-Soon.
• bsky.app: USA accuses China's State of operating network of "hackers for hire". Accused 12 individuals, 2 officers of the PRC Ministry of Public Security (MPS), employees of a private company, Anxun Information Technology Co. Ltd, and members of APT27.
• The Hacker News: U.S. Charges 12 Chinese Nationals in State-Backed Hacking Operations
• securityaffairs.com: US DOJ charges 12 Chinese nationals for state-linked cyber operations
• The Register - Security: Xi's freelance infosec warriors apparently paid up to $75K to crack a single American inbox US government agencies announced Wednesday criminal charges against alleged members of China's Silk Typhoon gang, plus internet domain seizures linked to a long-term Chinese espionage campaign that saw Beijing hire miscreants to compromise US government agencies and other major orgs.…
• DataBreaches.Net: U.S. Charges 12 Chinese Contract Hackers and Law Enforcement Officers in Global Computer Intrusion Campaigns
• bsky.app: The US Justice Department has charged Chinese state security officers and APT27 and i-Soon Chinese hackers linked to network breaches and cyberattacks targeting victims worldwide since 2011.
• cyble.com: U.S. Indictments Shed Light on i-Soon Hacking Tools, Methods
• Metacurity: US indicts twelve prolific Chinese hackers, including eight i-Soon staffers
• Carly Page: The Department of Justice has announced criminal charges against 12 Chinese government-linked hackers who are accused of hacking over 100 American organizations, including the U.S. Treasury, over the course of a decade
• Threats | CyberScoop: US indicts 12 Chinese nationals for vast espionage attack spree
• BleepingComputer: The U.S. Justice Department has charged Chinese state security officers along with APT27 and i-Soon hackers for network breaches and cyberattacks that have targeted victims globally since 2011.
• hackread.com: US Charges 12 in Chinese Hacker-for-Hire Network, Offers $10M Reward
• Risky Business Media: US indicts the i-Soon and APT27 hackers, the BADBOX botnet gets disrupted again,authorities seize the Garantex crypto exchange, and the FBI arrests hackers who stole Taylor Swift concert tickets.
• Security | TechRepublic: The article discusses the charges against Chinese hackers for their role in a global cyberespionage campaign.
• techxplore.com: US indicts 12 Chinese nationals in hacking
• : US Charges Members of Chinese Hacker-for-Hire Group i-Soon
• Matthias Schulze: U.S. Charges 12 Chinese Nationals in State-Backed Hacking Operations
• WIRED: US Charges 12 Alleged Spies in China’s Freewheeling Hacker-for-Hire Ecosystem
• Blog: FieldEffect blog post about U.S. indicts 12 Chinese nationals for cyber espionage.
• blog.knowbe4.com: U.S. Justice Department Charges China’s Hackers-for-Hire Working IT Contractor i-Soon
• Talkback Resources: The article details the indictment of 12 Chinese individuals for hacking activities.
• Schneier on Security: The article discusses the indictment of Chinese hackers for their involvement in global hacking activities.

Classification:

• HashTags: #CyberEspionage #China #iSoon
• Company: i-Soon
• Target: US Government Agencies
• Attacker: i-Soon
• Product: Software
• Feature: Hacking Tools
• Malware: Divine Mathematician Password Cracking Platform
• Type: Hack
• Severity: Major