Joint Cybersecurity Advisory on Countering Chinese State-Sponsored Actors Compromising Networks Worldwide

Executive Summary

CISA, in partnership with the NSA, FBI, Canadian Centre for Cyber Security, UK National Cyber Security Centre, and other international partners, released a joint cybersecurity advisory (AA25-239A) detailing ongoing activity by People's Republic of China state-sponsored APT actors targeting critical infrastructure networks globally. These actors are exploiting vulnerabilities in backbone telecommunications infrastructure, specifically provider edge and customer edge routers, to establish long-term, covert access to sensitive systems. The actors have been observed modifying router firmware, leveraging trusted inter-provider connections, and using stealthy techniques to evade detection.

Municipal Impact

Municipal telecommunications, government, transportation, and defense stakeholders should review the advisory and implement mitigations including patching known exploited vulnerabilities and securing edge infrastructure.

SMB Impact

SMBs relying on telecommunications and internet services should be aware of the risk and ensure vendors patch and secure edge infrastructure.

Recommended Actions

1. Review the joint cybersecurity advisory AA25-239A and implement the recommended mitigations.
2. Patch known exploited vulnerabilities.
3. Enable centralized logging.
4. Secure edge infrastructure.

Grey Matter Analysis