CYBER WARFARE

China-Backed Hackers Breach U.S. Nuclear Weapons Agency

China has denied any involvement in operations carried out by two cyber warfare groups, Linen Typhoon and Violet Typhoon, slamming the reports as “unfounded speculation.”

Hackers sponsored by the Chinese state have breached a number of U.S. government institutions, including the agency responsible for overseeing the security of America’s nuclear arsenal, according to a report. At least two cyber warfare groups, Linen Typhoon and Violet Typhoon, have exploited weaknesses in Microsoft’s SharePoint software to break into the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration, a source told Bloomberg, with other targets including the Department of Education, the Florida Department of Revenue, and the Rhode Island General Assembly. Microsoft says it is investigating the breaches and that it has “high confidence” those responsible will “continue to integrate [these vulnerabilities] into their attacks,” with others reported against government entities in Canada, Brazil, Spain, Indonesia, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland. China’s Embassy in Washington denies any involvement in the hacks, describing the allegations as “unfounded speculation” and adding it “firmly oppose[s] smearing others without solid evidence.” The Daily Beast has reached out to the U.S. agencies allegedly affected for comment.