US Reveals Major Hacking Operation by Chinese Hackers Against Sensitive Government Agencies

The US government has revealed a major hacking operation carried out by Chinese hackers against several sensitive government agencies, including the Justice Department, NASA, and the Federal Reserve.

The hackers used tools they developed to compromise critical infrastructure and other sensitive networks in the US and worldwide since at least 2018, according to an affidavit. The platforms used by the hackers were run by a China-based firm called Nanjing Xinjiuwei Network Technology Company, whose clients included China's civilian intelligence agency and its military.

The hackers made unsuccessful attempts to gain access to NASA networks in August 2019 by targeting a virtual private network vulnerability, and carried out intrusions at three unnamed Energy Department laboratories, the NIH, an unnamed HHS agency, and a US security device manufacturer in September 2024. They also scanned for vulnerabilities and made unsuccessful attempts to access networks of the US Senate and a US hospital in March 2026.

The Chinese government has denied any involvement in the hacking operation, with a spokesperson saying that China 'firmly opposes and combats all forms of cyberattacks in accordance with the law.' However, experts say private contractors routinely carry out high-profile intrusions on behalf of various Chinese government agencies.