US Disrupts Chinese Hacking Operation Targeting Sensitive Government Agencies

The US Department of Justice announced it had disrupted a Chinese hacking operation that targeted sensitive government agencies and private companies. The hackers, linked to China's Ministry of State Security and the People's Liberation Army, used platforms QScan and QTRouter to break into networks at the Justice Department, NASA, Federal Reserve, Senate, and other institutions.

The hacking attempts started in 2018 and continued until March 2026. According to the affidavit, the hackers were able to gain access to some of these networks but were unsuccessful in others. They targeted a virtual private network vulnerability at NASA in August 2019 and made unsuccessful attempts to access Senate and hospital networks in March 2026.

The 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 defense contractors, financial institutions, and universities in May 2024. The hackers also scanned for vulnerabilities and made unsuccessful attempts to access networks of various private companies.

The Chinese Embassy in Washington dismissed the allegations, saying that while they were not familiar with the specifics mentioned in the DOJ statement, China 'firmly opposes and combats all forms of cyberattacks in accordance with the law.'