China-Aligned Hackers Deploy ShadowPad in Multi

Gbhackers •Mayura Kathir • May 1, 2026

China-aligned threat actors tracked as SHADOW-EARTH-053 are exploiting old but unpatched Microsoft Exchange and IIS vulnerabilities to run a stealthy, multi-stage espionage campaign across Asian governments, critical infrastructure, and one NATO member state. The group primarily targets government entities and critical infrastructure in South, East, and Southeast Asia, with additional activity against at least one […]

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This article is one source in a clustered incident — the cluster page carries the summary, timeline and every other outlet covering it.

Evolution of Chinese-Nexus Cyber Operations: Strategic Long-Term Threats Recent research from Darktrace reveals the evolution of Chinese-nexus cyber operations over the past two decades, highlighting a shift from high-volume attacks to more strategic, identity-centric intrusions. This change reflects a broader integration of cyber operations into long-term geopolitical strategies, with a focus on critical national infrastructure and supply chains. The analysis, titled Crimson Echo, covers anomalous activities observed from July 2022 to September 2025, identifying two primary operational models: 'smash and grab' and 'low and slow.' The 'smash and grab' model involves rapid data exfiltration within 48 hours, while the 'low and slow' model emphasizes stealth and persistence. This long-term approach allows attackers to maintain access and evaluate strategic value over time, posing significant risks to targeted organizations. The findings underscore the need for enhanced cybersecurity measures to address these evolving threats. 381 sources 73

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China-Aligned Hackers Deploy ShadowPad in Multi

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Extracted Entities

APT Groups (1)

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Industries (1)

Malware (1)

MITRE ATT&CK (1)

Platforms (2)