Hackers spent 2+ years looting secrets of chipmaker NXP before being detected

Data of Report: November 2023
Affiliations: Chimera, a Chinese threat actor
In the end of 2017, Chimera gained access to the network of Dutch chip manufacture NXP and utilized this access to monitor employee’s communication and steal a unique chip design other intellectual property. This breach has continued until the beginning of 2020. The specific reason for targeting NXP is not announced but, the strategic value  of breached information indicate that significant incentives related to national security and advanced technologies.
SUSPECTED VICTIMS: Dutch chip manufacture NXP
SUSPECTED STATE SPONSORS: China
TYPE OF INCIDENT: Espionage
TARGET CATEGORY: Private Sector
VICTIM GOVERNMENT REACTION: Unknown
POLICY RESPONSE: Unknown
SUSPECTED STATE SPONSOR RESPONSE: Unknown

This operation highlights a profound espionage endeavor by Chimera, linked to Chinese government, targeting to crucial technologies acted as basis of sensitive components  to security globally. The breach to NXP’s networks and subsequent data exfiltration underline the growing sophistication of cyber operations aimed at acquiring high-value technological insights.

Analysis and Evaluation:
This cyber operation falls under the objective of "Foreign Intelligence Collection for National Security". The extensive espionage against NXP, involving the systematic theft of semiconductor designs and related intellectual properties, indicates a targeted approach to strengthen national security and technological capabilities of the sponsoring state. Given the strategic nature of the stolen data and its potential implications for global security and technological competitiveness, this operation is evaluated within the 0.7 to 0.9 range on the scale.

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