FlagThis - #tenable

Experts are warning that rising trade tensions and tariffs imposed by the U.S. could trigger retaliatory cyberattacks from China. These attacks could target critical U.S. infrastructure, including ports, water utilities, and airports. Cybersecurity advisor Tom Kellermann has noted that previous incursions by Chinese state-backed groups like Salt Typhoon and Volt Typhoon have already infiltrated these systems. The situation is compounded by the fact that illicit cyber activities exploiting the confusion surrounding the new tariffs have been on the rise.

China has, in a secret meeting, unusually acknowledged their role in cyberattacks against U.S. infrastructure. This admission, a departure from their usual denials, came during a summit in Geneva and specifically linked the cyber intrusions to increasing U.S. support for Taiwan. This marks a notable escalation in tensions, shifting cyber warfare from a denied activity to a recognized instrument of geopolitical strategy, as suggested by cybersecurity experts.

The potential for increased Chinese cyber activity highlights the need for proactive cybersecurity measures and geopolitical risk management. BforeAI CEO Luigi Lenguito observed a surge in cyber activity exploiting Trump's tariffs, including invoice fraud and shipping company impersonation. With geopolitical fault lines becoming increasingly apparent, cybersecurity professionals are encouraged to reassess their threat models and prioritize proactive defense strategies to mitigate potential risks.


References :

• www.scworld.com: US tariffs could prompt retaliatory Chinese cyberattacks, experts say
• securityaffairs.com: Security Affairs article: China admitted its role in Volt Typhoon cyberattacks on U.S. infrastructure
• WIRED: Wired article - China Secretly (and Weirdly) Admits It Hacked US Infrastructure
• www.scworld.com: US critical infrastructure attacks reportedly acknowledged by China
• The Register - Security: China reportedly admitted directing cyberattacks on US infrastructure
• cybersecuritynews.com: Chinese Hackers Attacking Critical Infrastructure to Sabotage Networks
• WIRED: Brass Typhoon: The Chinese Hacking Group Lurking in the Shadows

Classification:

• HashTags: #CyberWar #China #USTariffs
• Company: Tenable
• Target: US Critical Infrastructure
• Attacker: China
• Product: Cybersecurity
• Feature: Critical Infrastructure
• Malware: Volt Typhoon
• Type: Espionage
• Severity: Major

DeepSeek R1, an open-source AI model, has been shown to generate rudimentary malware, including keyloggers and ransomware. Researchers at Tenable demonstrated that while the AI model initially refuses malicious requests, these safeguards can be bypassed with carefully crafted prompts. This capability signals an urgent need for security teams to adapt their defenses against AI-generated threats.

While DeepSeek R1 may not autonomously launch sophisticated cyberattacks yet, it can produce semi-functional code that knowledgeable attackers could refine into working exploits. Cybersecurity experts emphasize the dual-use nature of generative AI, highlighting the need for organizations to implement strategies such as behavioral detection over static signatures to mitigate risks associated with AI-powered cyber threats. Cybercrime Magazine has also released an episode on CrowdStrike’s new Adversary Universe Podcast, discussing DeepSeek and the risks associated with foreign large language models.


References :

• Cybercrime Magazine: CrowdStrike Deep Dives Into DeepSeek And The Risk Of Foreign LLMs
• www.cysecurity.news: DeepSeek AI: Benefits, Risks, and Security Concerns for Businesses
• SecureWorld News: DeepSeek and AI-Generated Malware Pose New Danger for Cybersecurity
• Information Security Buzz: DeepSeek Can Be Abused to Create Malware

Classification:

• HashTags: #AI #malware #DeepSeek
• Company: Tenable
• Target: AI Systems
• Attacker: DeepSeek R1 operators
• Product: DeepSeek R1
• Feature: malware generation
• Malware: AI Generated Malware
• Type: AI
• Severity: Medium