Chinese Hackers Target French Government and Telecoms Using Ivanti CSA Zero-Days
On July 3, 2025, the French cybersecurity agency disclosed a significant cyberattack that has affected various sectors, including government, telecommunications, media, finance, and transport. The assault has been attributed to a Chinese hacking collective that exploited multiple zero-day vulnerabilities within Ivanti Cloud Services Appliance (CSA) devices. The campaign, identified in early September 2024, is linked to a unique intrusion set known as Houken. Analysts believe this group shares some characteristics with the threat cluster referred to by Google Mandiant as UNC5174.
The French National Agency for the Security of Information Systems (ANSSI) provided insight into the sophistication of Houken’s operations. Not only have the hackers employed zero-day vulnerabilities and an advanced rootkit, but they have also utilized a plethora of open-source tools primarily developed by Chinese-speaking engineers. This adds a layer of complexity to the threat, as it indicates a well-resourced and versatile attacker.
Houken’s attack infrastructure features a blend of diverse resources, including commercial VPN services and other tools designed to obfuscate their operations. This highlights the attackers’ strategic approach to maintaining operational security while launching sophisticated cyber incursions. The coordinated nature of the attack suggests a high level of planning and execution, targeting critical infrastructures vital to national safety and economic stability.
The implications of this attack extend beyond immediate data loss or service disruptions. The sectors affected play crucial roles in France’s governmental and economic framework, raising concerns about potential data exfiltration and long-term damage to these foundational institutions. For business owners and IT security professionals, understanding the nature of such attacks is paramount for developing robust defenses against similar incursions.
In terms of tactics utilized during the operation, the MITRE ATT&CK framework provides valuable insights. Techniques concerning initial access, persistence, and privilege escalation appear to be relevant in the context of this attack. The exploitation of zero-day vulnerabilities offers an avenue for initial access, while the rootkit may serve to maintain persistence within compromised systems. The use of open-source tools also indicates a capability to exploit widely available resources for privilege escalation, further complicating incident response strategies.
As businesses analyze their own cybersecurity postures in light of this incident, the lessons from the Houken campaign are particularly instructive. The increasing sophistication and targeting of such advanced persistent threats necessitate a proactive approach to cybersecurity. Organizations should consider the importance of patch management, continuous monitoring for anomalous activities, and the deployment of advanced threat detection solutions.
Ultimately, the targeting of critical infrastructure by state-sponsored actors signals an evolving threat landscape. Businesses must remain vigilant and informed about the tactics used by adversaries, reflecting an ongoing need for investment in cybersecurity measures. As the cyber realm becomes more intricate, a strategic response aligned with comprehensive frameworks like MITRE ATT&CK will be essential for safeguarding sensitive information and operational integrity.
