Recent reports suggest that a Chinese technology company has made assertions regarding its ability to compromise the systems of the Foreign Office of the United Kingdom. These claims have been substantiated by leaked documents, which have revealed successful hacking attempts on various UK government agencies, think tanks, businesses, charities, as well as public bodies and businesses across Asia and Europe. It remains unconfirmed whether any actual breaches occurred.
The leaked data, consisting of 577 documents and chat logs from the Chinese cyber security firm i-Soon, appears to be authentic. Allegedly, the company has been involved in the extraction of data and unauthorized access to systems in the UK, France, as well as several Asian countries including Taiwan, Pakistan, Malaysia, and Singapore.
A leaked chat log unveiled a discussion between an individual known as “Boss Lu” and another unidentified user, where the UK Foreign Office was highlighted as a priority target. Reference was made to a software vulnerability within the Foreign Office, but “Boss Lu” decided to prioritize another organization due to a rival contractor being awarded the work.
The leaked data also indicated that i-Soon staff had discussed contracts involving Jens Stoltenberg, Nato’s secretary general, and had received a list of UK targets that included the British Treasury, Chatham House, and Amnesty International.
The leak has provided a rare and concerning insight into the operations of a “commercially-fuelled, high-stakes intelligence operation,” according to John Hultquist, chief analyst at Mandiant Intelligence. The leaked data also suggests that the contractors served not only one agency, but multiple agencies at a time, shedding light on the unconventional involvement of the private sector in cyber espionage campaigns.
The Chinese Embassy in the UK has denied any knowledge of the leak, emphasizing China’s opposition to all forms of cyberattacks in accordance with the law. Chinese police are reportedly investigating the data dump, and the UK government has been approached for comment on the matter.
The outcome of the investigations by the Chinese authorities and the potential motives behind the data leak remain uncertain. Various theories include the possibility of a disgruntled former employee, involvement of a foreign intelligence agency, or a malicious leak by a competitor to undermine i-Soon’s credibility.
This incident underscores the ongoing concerns and complexities surrounding cyber security and espionage, particularly when involving the private sector in intelligence operations.
Authors Joshua Cheetham, Daniele Palumbo, and Gordon Corera provided valuable information, complemented by authoritative sources to enhance credibility and offer a comprehensive overview of the situation.
+ There are no comments
Add yours