The recently uncovered *Operation Sea Elephant* is a cyber espionage campaign targeting scientific organizations focused on ocean studies. Attributed to the South Asia-based CNC group, the operation aims to steal marine research data to secure regional dominance in the Indian Ocean. CNC’s attacks use modular techniques, including USB propagation tools disguised as legitimate software and spear-phishing campaigns targeting researchers. Once inside a system, they leverage messaging platforms like WeChat and QQ to spread malicious programs. The attackers focus on stealing substantial documents related to marine research, potentially giving foreign intelligence agencies insights into strategic scientific advancements. Continue here.
