US law firm with major political clients hacked in spying spree linked to China

pSuspected Chinese governmentbacked hackers have breached computer systems of US law firm Williams Connolly which has represented some of Americas 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 hackppThe 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 multifront competition with the US on issues ranging from national security to trade multiple sources have told CNNppThe hackers in this case used a previously unknown software flaw coveted by spies because it allows for stealth to access Williams Connollys 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 suspectppGiven 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 ppLiu Pengyu a spokesperson for the embassy told CNN in response to a separate hacking allegation last month China firmly opposes and combats all forms of cyber attacks and cybercrimeppIt was not immediately clear which Williams Connolly attorneys or clients were affected by the hackppWilliams Connolly is known for its politically influential clientele and a storied bench of courtroom lawyers The firm has represented Bill and Hillary Clinton corporate clients including tech health care and media companies and whitecollar criminal defendants like Theranos founder Elizabeth HolmesppA Williams Connolly spokesperson declined to answer questions on who was responsible for the hackppThe hackers are believed to be affiliated with a nationstate actor responsible for recent attacks on a number of law firms and companies Williams Connolly said in a statement to CNN We have taken steps to block the threat actor and there is now no evidence of any unauthorized traffic on our networkppAnother prominent US law firm hit by suspected Chinese hackers is Wiley Rein CNN reported in July With clients that span the Fortune 500 Wiley Rein is a powerful player in helping US companies and the government navigate the trade war with ChinappThe suspected Chinese hackers have been rampant in recent weeks also hitting the cloudcomputing firms that numerous American companies rely on to store key data experts at Googleowned cybersecurity firm Mandiant have told CNN In a sign of how important Chinas hacking army is in the race for tech supremacy the hackers have also stolen US tech firms proprietary software and used it to find new vulnerabilities to burrow deeper into networks according to MandiantppThe Chinese government routinely denies allegations that it conducts hacking operations often pointing to alleged US operations targeting Chinese entities and accusing Washington of a double standardppAt any given time the FBI has multiple investigations open into Chinas elite hacking teams which US officials consider the biggest statebacked cyber threat to American interests ppLaw firms are prime targets for nationstate threat actors because of the complex highstakes issues they handle said Sean Koessel cofounder of cybersecurity firm Volexity which has investigated Chinese digital spying campaignsppIntellectual property emerging technologies international trade sanctions public policy to name a few Koessel told CNN In short they hold a wealth of sensitive nonpublic information that can offer significant strategic advantageppHearst Television participates in various affiliate marketing programs which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sitesp