hina’s LapDogs Cyberattack Campaign Quietly Hijacks 1,000+ Devices
A covert cyber espionage operation known as the LapDogs cyberattack campaign has compromised over 1,000 devices across the U.S., Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, and Hong Kong. Recently exposed by SecurityScorecard’s Strike Team, this China-backed campaign silently targets under-monitored routers and IoT devices, turning them into spying tools without raising alarms. With custom malware named ShortLeash and fake LAPD certificates to disguise traffic, even enterprise-grade endpoint protection can’t detect it easily. If you're wondering how this attack remained undetected for so long or what it means for cybersecurity, here’s what you need to know.
How the LapDogs Cyberattack Campaign Operates
What sets the LapDogs cyberattack campaign apart is its use of everyday tech—like SOHO routers and outdated hardware—to create Operational Relay Boxes (ORBs). These ORBs serve as long-term access points for hackers to gather intelligence from targeted sectors, including real estate, media, local government, and IT infrastructure. Devices from Buffalo Technology and Ruckus Wireless were among those hijacked. By injecting the ShortLeash backdoor, attackers gain root-level access while blending malicious traffic with regular network activity, making detection extremely difficult.
Stealth, Persistence, and Fake Identities Power the Attack
Since its emergence in September 2023, the LapDogs operation has evolved into one of the most elusive and persistent cyber espionage threats seen in recent years. By spoofing trusted digital identities—like fake LAPD security certificates—the malware gains network trust and operates silently. Infected devices may remain compromised for months without any signs of intrusion. Experts say this reflects a growing trend: cybercriminals are prioritizing long-term stealth over quick data theft, favoring quiet infiltration and surveillance over time.
Why the LapDogs Cyberattack Campaign Matters Now
With rising tensions between global powers, the LapDogs cyberattack campaign underscores the urgent need for improved cybersecurity practices, especially in SMBs and public sector organizations. These attacks expose the vulnerabilities in legacy routers, unpatched devices, and weak authentication protocols. For IT leaders and network administrators, this incident is a wake-up call—emphasizing the importance of endpoint monitoring, firmware updates, and AI-powered anomaly detection tools to stay ahead of sophisticated threats.
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