A recent cybersecurity investigation has revealed that a cybercrime group believed to have links to China targeted universities in Canada and the US, focusing on departments involved in advanced scientific research and national security-related engineering projects.
According to a cybersecurity report, the attackers exploited known vulnerabilities in the Roundcube webmail software to steal login credentials, compromise servers, and extract sensitive information from targeted institutions.
The campaign reportedly focused on astrophysics, particle physics, and engineering departments connected to the national security sector. Researchers did not disclose the names of the affected universities or specify the type of data that may have been compromised.
The cybersecurity firm identified the threat group as “UNK_MassTraction.” While researchers said its tactics “display characteristics consistent with operations conducted in support of China,” they also clarified that they could not conclusively establish any direct affiliation with the Chinese government.
The findings highlight the growing cybersecurity risks faced by universities, particularly those engaged in high-value scientific research and technology development. The report also underlines the importance of promptly addressing known software vulnerabilities to reduce the risk of cyberattacks.
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