SYMBOLCOMMON_NAMEaka. SYNONYMS

UNC5174  (Back to overview)

aka: Uteus

UNC5174, a Chinese state-sponsored threat actor, has been identified by Mandiant for exploiting critical vulnerabilities in F5 BIG-IP and ScreenConnect. They have been linked to targeting research and education institutions, businesses, charities, NGOs, and government organizations in Southeast Asia, the U.S., and the UK. UNC5174 is believed to have connections to China's Ministry of State Security and has been observed using custom tooling and the SUPERSHELL framework in their operations. The actor has shown indications of transitioning from hacktivist collectives to working as a contractor for Chinese intelligence agencies.


Associated Families
elf.snowlight

References
2025-04-15sysdigAlessandra Rizzo
UNC5174’s evolution in China’s ongoing cyber warfare: From SNOWLIGHT to VShell
SNOWLIGHT

Credits: MISP Project