China-Linked Hackers Turn Cisco Routers Into Covert Attack Infrastructure

China-linked hackers turn Cisco routers into covert attack infrastructure

A China-linked cyber espionage group has expanded beyond VMware environments to target network and authentication infrastructure that enterprises rely on to manage access and administer critical systems, according to new findings from incident response firm Sygnia. The threat actor, tracked by Sygnia as Fire Ant, targeted Cisco IOS XR routers in 2026, using them to collect network traffic while suppressing evidence of its activity. The attackers…

SCIENCE & TECH: Cisco routers are being turned into surveillance vantage points to hoover up data on trusted networks — and it’s all thanks to this new malware

Sygnia reports China‑linked Fire Ant expanding beyond virtualization to routers, TACACS, and Linux hosts Compromised routers act as operational platforms Campaign aims at “target behind the target,” leveraging trust relationships for broader espionage reach Fire Ant, a China-nexus cyberespionage group, is no longer targeting just virtualization platforms, it’s also going for routers, authentication systems, and Linux management hosts. This is ac…

Cisco routers are being turned into surveillance vantage points to hoover up data on trusted networks — and it's all thanks to this new malware

Fire Ant is now targeting routers, authentication servers, and Linux management hosts, using them as stepping stones.

China-linked Fire Ant uses Cisco routers for credential theft and log suppression

A China-linked intrusion set tracked as Fire Ant was reported exploiting Cisco routers to steal credentials and interfere with security logging, turning edge network devices into collection and concealment points. The activity is detailed in...

China-linked cyber espionage group shifts focus to another brand of routers: report

Possibly linked to UNC3886, attackers deploy router malware, intercept credentials and traffic, conceal tunnels, and seek pathways into connected critical environments