China’s Wuhan Earthquake Monitoring Center targeted in cyberattack allegedly originating from the United States.
The Wuhan Earthquake Monitoring Center in China recently experienced a cyberattack [1], allegedly originating from the United States [2] [7] [8] [9]. This incident follows a previous cyberattack on Northwestern Polytechnical University [3], also attributed to the US’ National Security Agency (NSA) [4]. The Chinese government has condemned these attacks, accusing the US of engaging in malicious cyber operations and politicizing cybersecurity issues.
Description
The Wuhan Earthquake Monitoring Center [1] [3] [4] [5] [9] [10], affiliated with the city’s emergency management bureau [4] [10], was targeted in a cyberattack by an overseas organization [2] [6] [7] [8]. China’s state media claims that the attack was government-backed and originated from the United States [6] [7] [9]. This follows a previous cyberattack on Northwestern Polytechnical University [3], which was attributed to the NSA [3] [4]. The NSA has been known to carry out cyberattacks on important domestic information systems in China [4]. The Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson [1], Mao Ning [1], condemned the attack on the Wuhan Earthquake Monitoring Center [5], accusing the US government of engaging in malicious cyber operations against China and other countries [1]. Ning also criticized the US for politicizing and weaponizing cybersecurity issues [1]. State media sources suggest that a backdoor program was inserted into the network equipment [7], allowing for control and theft of seismic activity data [6] [7]. China’s state media and a social media account run by CCTV claimed that the attack posed a significant threat to national security. The Wuhan Municipal Emergency Management Bureau confirmed the cyberattack but did not provide specific details on the timing [7]. China’s foreign ministry condemned the attack and stated that necessary measures would be taken to safeguard cyber security [7]. This incident follows Microsoft’s claim that Chinese hackers had breached senior U.S. [7] officials’ emails [7], which Beijing refuted [7]. The U.S. [3] [4] [9] embassy in Beijing has not yet responded to requests for comment on the matter [9].
Conclusion
These cyberattacks on Chinese institutions by alleged US-backed organizations have raised concerns about the impact on national security. The insertion of a backdoor program into the network equipment poses a significant threat, allowing for control and theft of sensitive seismic activity data [6] [7]. The Chinese government has condemned these attacks and vowed to take necessary measures to safeguard cyber security. The ongoing tensions between China and the US in the realm of cybersecurity highlight the need for international cooperation and dialogue to address these issues effectively.
References
[1] https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/china-wuhan-earthquake-cyber-attack/
[2] https://www.rappler.com/technology/china-says-wuhan-earthquake-center-attacked-overseas-hackers/
[3] https://news.cgtn.com/news/2023-07-26/Wuhan-Earthquake-Monitoring-Center-hit-by-overseas-cyber-attack-1lKlm4ZN9FC/index.html
[4] https://www.reddit.com/r/Network_security/comments/15brl7c/exclusivewuhanearthquakemonitoring_center/
[5] https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2023/07/26/2931837/china-condemns-cyber-attack-on-wuhan-science-center
[6] https://www.yuantalks.com/wuhans-earthquake-monitoring-centre-suffered-cyberattack-from-us-state-media/
[7] https://srnnews.com/china-says-wuhan-earthquake-centre-attacked-by-overseas-hackers/
[8] https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-says-wuhan-earthquake-centre-attacked-by-overseas-hackers-2023-07-26/
[9] https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/china-says-wuhan-earthquake-monitoring-centre-attacked-by-overseas-hackers/articleshow/102139204.cms
[10] https://www.cybersecurity-review.com/news-july-2023/wuhan-earthquake-monitoring-center-suffers-cyberattack-from-the-us-investigation-underway/
