Chinese Hackers Strike Again: French Sectors Hit by Zero-Day Vulnerability Exploits
The French cybersecurity agency uncovered a cyberattack by the Chinese hacking group Houken. This group exploited zero-day vulnerabilities in Ivanti Cloud Services Appliance devices, targeting sectors like government and finance. Their sophisticated approach involves selling access to state-linked actors, highlighting a financially driven, multi-party strategy to vulnerability exploitation.

Hot Take:
It seems like the French cybersecurity agency has uncovered a thrilling, albeit slightly terrifying, plot twist that could rival any spy novel. Chinese hackers, secret vulnerabilities, and zero-days sound like the makings of a suspenseful thriller, but alas, it’s just another day in the wild world of cybersecurity. Who needs Netflix when you’ve got real-life hacking drama like this?
Key Points:
- French authorities have identified a Chinese hacking group exploiting zero-day vulnerabilities.
- The campaign, dubbed “Houken,” overlaps with another threat cluster known as UNC5174.
- Hackers used Ivanti Cloud Services Appliance vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access.
- Exploited sectors include government, media, finance, and transportation.
- Victims span from Europe to Southeast Asia, with a dash of cryptocurrency mining for good measure.