Overview

• Researchers observed Chinese-affiliated hacking groups operating since March and intensifying campaigns through June with evidence of ongoing activity.
• Campaigns have spanned small and large semiconductor firms as well as financial analysts tracking chip market trends.
• One group hijacked Taiwanese university email accounts to pose as job applicants and distribute malware-laden PDFs or password-protected archives.
• Another operation impersonated a fictitious investment firm to entice analysts into collaboration and extract sensitive industry data.
• China’s embassy denied any role in the cyberattacks and analysts say U.S. export restrictions on advanced semiconductors may be driving the espionage.