Cybersecurity researchers have uncovered a vast, previously unreported network of domains associated with the Chinese threat groups Salt Typhoon and UNC4841. This infrastructure, which includes 45 domains, provides new insights into the long-standing operations of these state-sponsored actors. The earliest domain registrations were found to be as old as May 2020, challenging the previous understanding of these groups’ activities and confirming that their recent campaigns are part of a much longer history of cyberespionage.
The identified network shows a significant overlap between Salt Typhoon and UNC4841, a group notorious for its zero-day attacks on Barracuda Email Security Gateway devices. This shared infrastructure suggests a coordinated effort or shared resources between these two prominent Chinese hacking groups. By examining these connections, security experts are gaining a clearer picture of the operational links between various state-backed cyberespionage campaigns.
Further analysis of the domains revealed that some were registered using fake identities and three different Proton Mail email addresses. Researchers found that these addresses were used to register at least 16 domains with non-existent street addresses, highlighting the lengths to which these groups go to conceal their identities. The oldest domain in the network, onlineeylity[.]com, was registered in May 2020 under a fabricated identity, a persona named Monica Burch.
Researchers also traced the IP addresses connected to these 45 domains. Many of the domains were found to point to high-density IP addresses, which are used by a large number of different hostnames. However, some of the domains pointed to low-density IPs, with the earliest activity on these specific addresses dating back to October 2021. This mix of IP types suggests that the threat actors are using a variety of methods to host their infrastructure and avoid detection.
Given the scope and history of this newly discovered network, security researchers are urging organizations that believe they are at risk of Chinese espionage to take immediate action. They recommend searching DNS logs for the past five years for any requests to the domains and their subdomains. It’s also crucial to check for connections to the listed IP addresses, especially during the periods when these threat actors were known to be active. This proactive approach is essential for identifying potential intrusions and protecting sensitive data.
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