Chinese Spies Hacked a Livestock App to Breach US State Networks

Chinese hacker group APT41 has used a vulnerability in the Animal Health Emergency Reporting Diagnostic System (USAHERDS), a web-based tool used by US state governments to track livestock diseases, to breach at least six US state governments over the last year. Cybersecurity firm Mandiant revealed the hacking campaign, stating that other states may also be at risk as 18 of them use USAHERDS. The motive behind these attacks remains unclear.