Sean Lyngaas of CNN reports:
Suspected Chinese government-backed hackers have breached computer systems of U.S. law firm Williams & Connolly, which has represented some of America’s most powerful politicians, as part of a larger spying campaign against multiple law firms, according to a letter the firm sent clients and a source familiar with the hack.
The cyber intrusions have hit the email accounts of select attorneys at these law firms, as Beijing continues a broader effort to gather intelligence to support its multi-front competition with the U.S. on issues ranging from national security to trade, multiple sources have told CNN.
The hackers in this case used a previously unknown software flaw, coveted by spies because it allows for stealth, to access Williams & Connolly’s computer network, said the letter sent to clients this week and reviewed by CNN. The letter did not name the hackers responsible, but the source familiar with the hack told CNN that Beijing was the prime suspect.
“Given the nature of the threat actor, we have no reason to believe that the data will be disclosed or used publicly,” the letter said, in a hint that the intruder was focused on espionage rather than extortion.
Read more at WMUR.