Hackers believed to be linked to the Chinese government have infiltrated the computer systems of US law firm Williams & Connolly, which represents several high-profile American political figures. The breach is reportedly part of a wider espionage campaign targeting multiple law firms, according to a client notification letter and a source familiar with the incident.
The cyberattacks compromised the email accounts of selected attorneys as part of what intelligence officials describe as an ongoing effort by Beijing to collect sensitive information in its broader strategic rivalry with the United States, spanning areas such as national security and trade.
According to the firm’s letter, the attackers exploited an undisclosed software vulnerability that allowed them to access Williams & Connolly’s internal network without detection. While the correspondence did not identify those responsible, a source close to the matter indicated that Chinese state-sponsored actors are the main suspects.
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