Chinese APT Exploits VPN Bug to Target Global OT Organizations

2025-02-28

In a recent cybersecurity revelation, Chinese cybercriminals exploited a known VPN vulnerability to infiltrate manufacturing companies critical to the global supply chain. This breach, stretching across multiple continents, highlights a significant risk to industries, particularly in aviation and aerospace sectors, where intellectual property (IP) theft could have severe consequences. The attack was carried out through a flaw in Check Point’s security gateways, leading to a wave of espionage activity. This article breaks down the details of the vulnerability, its impact, and how small organizations can fall prey to such sophisticated attacks.

Overview of the Attack Campaign

Chinese hackers, associated with the APT41 group (also known as Winnti), exploited a previously disclosed VPN vulnerability (CVE-2024-24919) in Check Point security gateways. These vulnerabilities, which affected devices configured for remote access, were the entry point for a monthslong cyber-espionage campaign. The vulnerability allowed attackers to bypass security protocols and access sensitive data, including password hashes. The attackers could then escalate privileges, move laterally within the network, and install the ShadowPad backdoor to facilitate long-term espionage and data theft.

A significant portion of the affected companies operated in critical sectors, especially within operational technology (OT) industries tied to the aviation and aerospace supply chains. However, small businesses with limited cybersecurity resources were also targeted. Despite the clear intent to steal valuable intellectual property, the attackers did not appear to disrupt operations or cause any immediate damage. Rather, they laid the groundwork for future exploitation.

What Undercode Says:

The exploitation of CVE-2024-24919 underscores a concerning trend: even after vulnerabilities are disclosed and patched, attackers still find ways to capitalize on unpatched systems. This incident illustrates the peril of neglecting timely updates and security measures, especially when dealing with internet-exposed devices like security gateways. Despite Check Point’s patch release in May 2024, attackers continued to exploit the flaw through late 2024 and into 2025, emphasizing the need for continuous monitoring and robust patch management strategies in cybersecurity frameworks.

The attackers’ strategic focus on operational technology organizations in the aviation and aerospace sectors is also telling. These industries house highly valuable intellectual property, and any breach can have far-reaching consequences. However, it’s important to note that the attackers didn’t limit themselves to one type of target or geographic region. The global scale of the attack and the diverse industries affected reveal how widespread the threat is and how advanced persistent threats (APTs) are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their targeting.

Interestingly, the attack’s focus on smaller OT organizations sheds light on another growing concern. Many small businesses in industrial sectors lack dedicated cybersecurity staff and often fail to apply patches or implement necessary security measures. This leaves them vulnerable to attacks that, while initially appearing less impactful, can provide an entry point to larger and more valuable networks. The attackers may use smaller companies as stepping stones to reach high-profile targets, which makes them just as important to secure as their larger counterparts.

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As we move into an era where cyber threats are more complex and far-reaching, it’s clear that both large and small organizations must prioritize robust security practices. Small businesses, in particular, must be proactive in securing their systems to avoid being a weak link in the broader supply chain. Having dedicated cybersecurity personnel or outsourcing these responsibilities to experts could make all the difference in preventing such attacks.

Fact Checker Results:

The CVE-2024-24919 vulnerability was indeed disclosed and patched by Check Point in May 2024, and the attackers exploited this flaw until late 2024.
The ShadowPad backdoor, used in this campaign, is a known tool used by Chinese APT groups, further linking the attack to APT41 (Winnti).
A significant number of the targets were small organizations, which aligns with the trend of cybercriminals targeting entities with less cybersecurity sophistication.

References:

Reported By: https://www.darkreading.com/ics-ot-security/chinese-apt-vpn-bug-worldwide-ot-orgs
Extra Source Hub:
https://www.quora.com/topic/Technology
Wikipedia: https://www.wikipedia.org
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