US Disrupts China-Linked Hacking Operation Targeting Government Agencies

The US Department of Justice announced it had disrupted a Chinese hacking operation that targeted several sensitive government agencies, including the Justice Department, NASA, and the Federal Reserve. The hackers used platforms dubbed QScan and QTRouter to compromise critical infrastructure and other sensitive networks in the US and worldwide since at least 2018.

The affidavit revealed that the hackers attempted to gain access to NASA networks in August 2019 by targeting a virtual private network vulnerability, but were unsuccessful. In September 2024, the hackers carried out intrusions at three unnamed Energy Department laboratories, the NIH, an unnamed HHS agency, and a US security device manufacturer.

A joint cybersecurity advisory issued by the FBI, NSA, and US Cyber Command's Cyber National Mission Force detailed multiple hacking efforts over the years. These included successful data theft from unnamed defence contractors, financial institutions, and universities in May 2024.