Narrative Warfare

Today in the space between war and peace...

1. China's "narrative warfare" in Sub-Saharan Africa
2. China-linked cyber espionage group using advanced backdoor

1. China's "narrative warfare" in Sub-Saharan Africa

In a new report, the European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats (Hybrid CoE) explores China's narrative influence in Sub-Saharan Africa, highlighting "narrative warfare" tactics against Euro-Atlantic interests, utilizing local elites, economic dependencies, and media control, undermining democracy and fostering anti-Western sentiment.

2. China-linked cyber espionage group using advanced backdoor

Google Threat Intelligence Group tracks a China-linked cyber espionage group and their use of POISONPLUG.SHADOW, an advanced backdoor. This malware employs a complex obfuscating compiler named "ScatterBrain." Google analysts developed a deobfuscator for ScatterBrain, enhancing understanding and mitigation of associated threats. ScatterBrain disrupts analysis via modes and components like control flow obfuscation and import protection. The deobfuscator effectively addresses these, enabling the reconstruction of deobfuscated binaries. This work aids in counteracting obfuscated malware threats, contributing to global cybersecurity efforts.