Illustrative image. (Photo: istock)Hanoi (VNA) – The Vietnam Computer EmergencyResponse Team (VNCERT) uncovered several advanced persistent threat (APT)attacks on governmental websites in the central city of Da Nang in late July.
VNCERT found a malicious file exploiting a memorycorruption issue in Microsoft Office in a document on the website of thePeople’s Committee of Hai Chau District, Da Nang. Hackers might aim to infectthe computer system of the city’s administrative units with this malware,according to the team.
On August 1 VNCERT sent a letter to the municipal People’sCommittee and Department of Information and Communications to warn about theattack and advise them how to deal with the issue.
“The main purpose of the hackers is to steal confidentialinformation of Da Nang city,” the team said in the letter. “With such hi-techattack, the city’s firewalls are not able to promptly detect the problem, allowingthe hackers to maintain control of the computer system for a long time,” itadded.
Analysis of the cyber-attack showed that the hackers havethoroughly monitored the targeted website and used hi-tech solutions to getaround security walls. This would allow them to take control of the internalcomputer system and steal information.
In the letter, VNCERT also provided Da Nang with detailedinstructions on how to examine and remove this type of malware. It urged themunicipal Department of Information and Communications to act on this advicewithout delay.
The malware is extremely dangerous as it can stealinformation and destroy the data system, so the VNCERT recommended leaders ofthe Department of Information and Communications strictly follow the instructions.
First appearing at the end of 2010, APT attacks are oneof the top threats to information security.
Statistics show that more than 27 percent of APT attacks have targetedgovernment institutions, followed by those hitting banking and financialinstitutions and telecommunication firms with a large customer database.
Vietnam has seen a number of APT attacks on big organisations, most notablebeing the cyber-attack on the national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines in Julylast year.
VNCERT reported that last year, Vietnam was hit by 13,382 cyber-attacks,including 6,400 malware; 4,377 deface; and 2,605 phishing attacks. Some 5,179cyber-attacks have been recorded since the beginning of 2018, consisting of1,122 phishing; 3,200 deface; and 857 malware attacks. –VNA
VNA
