corporate espionage
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China-linked group embeds stealthy kernel backdoors in telecom networks, Rapid7 says
Security firm Rapid7 reported that a China-linked threat cluster known as Red Menshen has embedded kernel-level implants and stealthy backdoors such as BPFDoor inside telecommunications networks to gather intelligence while evading conventional detection.
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Kaspersky: Tomiris APT increasingly uses Telegram and Discord as command-and-control channels
Kaspersky researchers reported that the Tomiris threat actor has targeted diplomatic and government entities, increasingly using public services like Telegram and Discord as command-and-control channels and deploying multi-language implants and open-source C2 frameworks.
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MI5 warns Chinese agents using social media and fake recruiters to target UK parliament and officials
MI5 has issued an espionage alert warning that Chinese intelligence officers are using social media and fake recruiters to cultivate people with access to sensitive UK information, Security Minister Dan Jarvis told parliament, and the government has removed Chinese-made surveillance equipment from sensitive sites.
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Israel agency says Iran-linked APT42 ran espionage campaign targeting officials and family members
Israel’s National Digital Agency says an Iran-linked threat actor known as APT42 has been running a campaign called SpearSpecter since early September 2025 that uses personalised social engineering to target senior officials and their family members and deploys a PowerShell backdoor for persistent access.
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Proofpoint links new UNK_SmudgedSerpent cluster to targeted phishing of Iran experts
Proofpoint has identified a new threat cluster, UNK_SmudgedSerpent, that used political lures, impersonation and malicious installers to target academics and Iran policy experts between June and August 2025, deploying RMM tools including PDQ Connect and possibly ISL Online.
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China-linked Tick group exploits Lanscope flaw to deploy Gokcpdoor backdoor
A critical Lanscope Endpoint Manager flaw (CVE-2025-61932, CVSS 9.3) has been exploited by the Tick espionage group to deploy a Gokcpdoor backdoor and other tooling, with JPCERT/CC confirming active abuse and researchers advising prompt patching and review of internet-exposed servers.
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SideWinder adopts ClickOnce-based infection chain in South Asia espionage campaign
Researchers say the SideWinder group used a new ClickOnce‑based infection chain alongside Word exploits in spear‑phishing waves from March to September 2025 to deliver ModuleInstaller and the StealerBot implant against diplomatic and government targets in South Asia.
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Iran-linked MuddyWater used compromised email to deliver Phoenix backdoor to 100+ MENA government targets, Group-IB says
Group-IB says Iran-linked MuddyWater used a compromised mailbox accessed via NordVPN to phish MENA organisations, deploying weaponised Word documents that installed the Phoenix v4 backdoor across more than 100 government targets and hosting RMM tools and a browser credential stealer on its C2 infrastructure.
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China’s MSS says NSA carried out ‘premeditated’ cyber operation against national time service
China’s Ministry of State Security said in a WeChat post it uncovered ‘irrefutable evidence’ that the U.S. NSA carried out a multi-year cyber operation against the National Time Service Center, alleging credential theft, deployment of a platform with 42 tools, and attempts to disrupt timing systems; the MSS said Chinese agencies neutralized the activity.
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Lawsuit says Deel orchestrated long-running espionage against competitor Rippling
Rippling filed a lawsuit on March 17, 2025, alleging that Deel directed a months-long corporate espionage campaign through a cultivated employee who searched Rippling systems thousands of times to capture sales, customer and recruiting information, and that top Deel executives were implicated.
