cross-posted from: https://scribe.disroot.org/post/5953090

Archived version

Here is the original Cisa report: BRICKSTORM Backdoor

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Chinese hackers are using a strain of malware to attack governments in several countries and maintain long-term access, according to U.S. and Canadian cybersecurity officials.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), National Security Agency (NSA) and Canadian Centre for Cyber Security published an advisory on Thursday outlining the BRICKSTORM malware based off an analysis of eight samples taken from victim organizations.

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“BRICKSTORM is a sophisticated and stealthy backdoor malware linked to PRC state-sponsored cyber actors,” said CISA Executive Assistant Director for Cybersecurity Nick Andersen.

The advisory includes indicators of compromise and detections organizations can use to tell if they have been impacted by the campaign involving the malware. The malware is used “for long-term persistence on victim systems,” according to U.S. agencies.

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The goal of the campaign is to steal valuable intellectual property and sensitive data — with a particular focus on the email inboxes of senior company leaders, according to Mandiant. The company attributed the campaign to a threat actor they previously accused of abusing vulnerabilities in firewall products from tech company Ivanti.

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cross-posted from: https://scribe.disroot.org/post/5394838

Archived link

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Canada’s energy minister Tim Hodgson said Ottawa would use the country’s Defence Production Act to stockpile critical minerals. The move echoes the US’s use of national security legislation to strengthen its domestic supplies.

“This enables Canada to launch our own defence stockpiling regime, and to support multilateral stockpiling efforts,” Hodgson said.

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The announcements come as Canada tries to position itself as a crucial supplier to western economies that have grown concerned about China’s stranglehold on rare earth and critical minerals supplies.

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cross-posted from: https://scribe.disroot.org/post/4735415

Archived version

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The country is pushing lithium extraction and refining, active cathode materials and recycling plants, aiming to close the loop and reduce reliance on imported inputs.

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The bet combines competitively priced, low-carbon electricity, public support (subsidies, credit lines and streamlined permitting), European financing and a critical mass of industry that lowers transaction costs across the chain.

The co-location of gigafactories, active material suppliers, R&D centres and recyclers creates network effects and accelerates manufacturing learning curves.

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