China-linked hackers breach public and private networks in vast cyber espionage campaign.

Chinese hackers, suspected to be state-backed, breached hundreds of public and private sector organizations globally, including nearly a third of government agencies, using a security hole in a popular email security appliance. The cybersecurity firm Mandiant identified the group as UNC4841 and said they engaged in espionage activity in support of the People’s Republic of China. The hackers sent emails containing malicious file attachments to gain access to targeted organizations’ devices and data. The breach impacted organizations in the Americas, Asia Pacific, and Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Barracuda Networks’ Email Security Gateway was compromised, and the California company recommended fully replacing the appliances.