Over 1,000 SOHO Devices Compromised in China-Linked LapDogs Cyber Espionage Operation
Jun 27, 2025
Threat Hunting / Vulnerability
Cybersecurity experts have uncovered a network of over 1,000 compromised small office/home office (SOHO) devices actively supporting an extensive cyber espionage campaign linked to China-based hacking groups. This operation, dubbed LapDogs by SecurityScorecard’s STRIKE team, reveals that victims are primarily located in the United States and Southeast Asia, with the network steadily expanding. Infections are also reported in Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, affecting sectors such as IT, networking, real estate, and media. The compromised devices include those from manufacturers like Ruckus Wireless, ASUS, Buffalo Technology, Cisco-Linksys, Cross DVR, D-Link, Microsoft, Panasonic, and Synology. At the core of the LapDogs operation is a custom backdoor known as ShortLeash, specifically designed to facilitate these attacks.
Threat Hunting / Vulnerability
Over 1,000 SOHO Devices Compromised in Cyber Espionage Campaign Linked to China On June 27, 2025, cybersecurity experts reported the discovery of a significant network of more than 1,000 small office and home office (SOHO) devices that have been compromised for cyber espionage activities attributed to hacking groups with links…
Over 1,000 SOHO Devices Compromised in China-Linked LapDogs Cyber Espionage Operation
Jun 27, 2025
Threat Hunting / Vulnerability
Cybersecurity experts have uncovered a network of over 1,000 compromised small office/home office (SOHO) devices actively supporting an extensive cyber espionage campaign linked to China-based hacking groups. This operation, dubbed LapDogs by SecurityScorecard’s STRIKE team, reveals that victims are primarily located in the United States and Southeast Asia, with the network steadily expanding. Infections are also reported in Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, affecting sectors such as IT, networking, real estate, and media. The compromised devices include those from manufacturers like Ruckus Wireless, ASUS, Buffalo Technology, Cisco-Linksys, Cross DVR, D-Link, Microsoft, Panasonic, and Synology. At the core of the LapDogs operation is a custom backdoor known as ShortLeash, specifically designed to facilitate these attacks.
