Chinese Cyber Espionage Group Salt Typhoon Targets European Telecom Networks Using Sophisticated Stealth Tactics

European Telecommunications Infrastructure Targeted

Security researchers have identified renewed cyber espionage activity by the notorious Chinese hacking collective known as Salt Typhoon, with the group now targeting European telecommunications networks according to recent reports. The campaign marks the latest in a series of global infrastructure attacks attributed to the state-sponsored threat actor, which previously compromised multiple US telecom networks in a multi-year operation.

European Telecommunications Infrastructure Targeted
Sophisticated Attack Methodology
Connection to Previous Campaigns
Successful Intervention and Security Implications

Sophisticated Attack Methodology

According to cybersecurity firm Darktrace, the group employed advanced stealth techniques including DLL sideloading and potential zero-day exploits to gain persistent access to target networks. Analysts suggest the attackers initially compromised systems by exploiting a Citrix NetScaler Gateway appliance, then deployed the Snappybee malware – also known as Deed RAT – using sophisticated evasion methods.

The report states that “the backdoor was delivered to these internal endpoints as a DLL alongside legitimate executable files for antivirus software such as Norton Antivirus, Bkav Antivirus, and IObit Malware Fighter.” This approach enabled the attackers to execute malicious payloads under the guise of trusted security software, effectively bypassing traditional security controls.

Connection to Previous Campaigns

The latest intrusion activity mirrors previously documented Salt Typhoon operations, including a prolific campaign against up to eight different US telecommunications organizations. Security analysts indicate the group’s previous operations resulted in the theft of information from millions of American telecom customers, using a high-severity Cisco vulnerability to gain network access and monitor traffic.

Sources familiar with the investigation suggest that Chinese threat actors frequently employ DLL side-loading techniques, making this latest activity consistent with established patterns of state-sponsored cyber espionage. The methodology allows attackers to maintain persistence while avoiding detection by signature-based security systems., according to recent studies

Successful Intervention and Security Implications

Darktrace assessed with moderate confidence that the intrusion was identified and remediated before it could escalate beyond early-stage compromise. The successful detection highlights the growing importance of anomaly-based defense systems in countering advanced persistent threats, particularly those attributed to nation-state actors., according to expert analysis

Security experts suggest the incident underscores the critical need for organizations to implement proactive defense strategies that can identify unusual behavior patterns, rather than relying exclusively on traditional signature-based detection methods. The rise in sophisticated, state-sponsored cyber operations targeting critical infrastructure requires corresponding advances in defensive capabilities across the telecommunications sector and other vital industries.