UNC6384 European diplomatic espionage campaign
Campaign
Summary
Hide ▲
Show ▼
A UNC6384 cyber espionage campaign targeted European diplomatic entities in Hungary, Belgium, and other European nations, widening the group's intelligence-collection threat to diplomatic networks. The activity was observed in September and October 2025 and linked to a cluster likely associated with Mustang Panda/TEMP.Hex. The operation used spear phishing with diplomatic conference lures, malicious LNK files, and exploitation of ZDI-CAN-25373 in Windows. The delivery chain deployed PlugX RAT through DLL side-loading, giving operators remote access and reconnaissance capability.
Related Happenings
SHADOW-EARTH-053 China-aligned espionage campaign against Asian government and defense targets
Campaign
First: 01.05.2026 17:02
Last: 01.05.2026 17:02
Sources 1
About this happening:
**SHADOW-EARTH-053** is running an active **China-aligned espionage campaign** against **government and defense** targets across **South, East, and Southeast Asia** and **Poland**...
SHADOW-EARTH-053 China-aligned espionage campaign against Asian government and defense targets
CampaignAbout this happening: **SHADOW-EARTH-053** is running an active **China-aligned espionage campaign** against **government and defense** targets across **South, East, and Southeast Asia** and **Poland**...
TA416 European government espionage campaign
Campaign
First: 01.04.2026 15:05
Last: 01.04.2026 15:05
Sources 1
About this happening:
TA416 has resumed **cyber espionage** activity, targeting **European governments** and **EU/NATO diplomatic missions** with a renewed malware-delivery operation that raises cross-...
TA416 European government espionage campaign
CampaignAbout this happening: TA416 has resumed **cyber espionage** activity, targeting **European governments** and **EU/NATO diplomatic missions** with a renewed malware-delivery operation that raises cross-...
Latest development: 03.04.2026 20:34
TA416 expanded its espionage campaign to Middle Eastern government and diplomatic entities after the outbreak of the U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict in late February 2026, while linking to archives hosted on Google Drive or a compromised SharePoint instance to refine its PlugX delivery chain and collect regional intelligence.
Mustang Panda, CL-STA-1048, and CL-STA-1049 Southeast Asia government campaign
Campaign
First: 30.03.2026 10:00
Last: 30.03.2026 10:00
Sources 1
About this happening:
Three **China-aligned** clusters targeted a **government organization in Southeast Asia**, signaling a **coordinated campaign** built for long-term access. The activity spans **Mu...
Mustang Panda, CL-STA-1048, and CL-STA-1049 Southeast Asia government campaign
CampaignAbout this happening: Three **China-aligned** clusters targeted a **government organization in Southeast Asia**, signaling a **coordinated campaign** built for long-term access. The activity spans **Mu...
Microsoft silently patches in Windows LNK files remote code execution flaw (CVE-2025-9491)
Vulnerability
First: 12.02.2026 23:01
Last: 12.02.2026 23:01
Sources 1
About this happening:
**Windows LNK shortcut files** remain the focus of this vulnerability thread: **CVE-2025-9491** / **ZDI-CAN-25373** is being used in **September-October 2025** spear-phishing atta...
Microsoft silently patches in Windows LNK files remote code execution flaw (CVE-2025-9491)
VulnerabilityAbout this happening: **Windows LNK shortcut files** remain the focus of this vulnerability thread: **CVE-2025-9491** / **ZDI-CAN-25373** is being used in **September-October 2025** spear-phishing atta...
Mustang Panda PlugX DOPLUGS deployment chain for persistent access
Malware Activity
First: 04.02.2026 16:09
Last: 04.02.2026 16:09
Sources 1
About this happening:
**Mustang Panda (TA416)** used **malicious ZIP/LNK chains** to deliver its custom **PlugX/DOPLUGS** payload and maintain **persistent access** on compromised hosts. The activity t...
Mustang Panda PlugX DOPLUGS deployment chain for persistent access
Malware ActivityAbout this happening: **Mustang Panda (TA416)** used **malicious ZIP/LNK chains** to deliver its custom **PlugX/DOPLUGS** payload and maintain **persistent access** on compromised hosts. The activity t...
Timeline
-
31.10.2025 14:10 2 articles · 6mo ago
Initial report: UNC6384 European diplomatic espionage campaign
Initial DisclosureThe operation began with **spear phishing** emails themed around diplomatic meetings and conferences that delivered malicious **LNK** files. Opening the shortcuts triggered exploitation of **ZDI-CAN-25373** and started the multi-stage **PlugX** deployment chain.
Show sources
- Chinese-Linked Hackers Exploit Windows Flaw to Spy on Belgian and Hungarian Diplomats — www.infosecurity-magazine.com — 31.10.2025 14:10
- Chinese-Linked Hackers Exploit Windows Flaw to Spy on Belgian and Hungarian Diplomats — www.infosecurity-magazine.com — 31.10.2025 14:10