The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has sanctioned Sichuan Silence Information Technology Company, Limited, a Chinese cybersecurity firm, and its employee, Guan Tianfeng, for their involvement in a significant cyberattack that compromised tens of thousands of firewalls worldwide. The attack, which took place in April 2020, targeted critical infrastructure companies in the U.S., with over 23,000 compromised firewalls, including 36 protecting critical infrastructure systems. The sanctioned entities were linked to a zero-day exploit in a firewall product, which allowed the deployment of malware intended to steal sensitive data.
Guan Tianfeng, who was working as a security researcher for Sichuan Silence at the time, discovered and used the zero-day vulnerability to compromise around 81,000 firewalls. In addition to stealing data, Guan attempted to deploy the Ragnarok ransomware variant, which could have severely disrupted operations. The ransomware’s design made it especially dangerous, as it disabled antivirus software and encrypted victim systems. If left unchecked, the attack could have led to significant damage, including potential loss of life, particularly for U.S. energy companies involved in drilling operations.
Sichuan Silence, a Chengdu-based cybersecurity company, provides services to Chinese intelligence agencies, including network exploitation and public sentiment suppression tools. The firm’s activities raise concerns about its role in supporting the Chinese government’s cyber capabilities. Guan’s actions, which were linked to his employment at Sichuan Silence, highlight the growing threat posed by state-sponsored cyber actors, particularly those targeting critical infrastructure and sensitive data. His involvement in international cybersecurity tournaments further emphasizes the risk posed by individuals acting on behalf of nation-states.
In response to the attack, the U.S. government has taken strong action by sanctioning both the company and Guan, effectively blocking their assets and restricting transactions with U.S. persons. The sanctions underscore the U.S. government’s commitment to protecting national security by targeting malicious cyber actors who attempt to undermine critical infrastructure. The Department of Justice has also unsealed an indictment against Guan, and the U.S. Department of State is offering a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to the capture of those responsible for the attack. This coordinated approach aims to deter future cyberattacks and ensure that perpetrators are held accountable for their actions.
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