Chinese hackers use SparroWocky malware in govt espionage attacks
Source Bleeping Computer
Description
The FamousSparrow espionage group, linked to China, has deployed a new backdoor malware named SparroWocky targeting government organizations in Latin America since mid-2025. SparroWocky is a modular C++ backdoor with advanced anti-analysis and evasion techniques, including DLL side-loading, runtime code patching, and thread creation interception to disguise malicious activity. It enables extensive system reconnaissance, file operations, screenshot capture, process creation, and network proxying. Persistence is maintained via Windows services or registry keys. The malware communicates with multiple command-and-control servers over common ports and proxies. The attacks aim to gather intelligence on Latin American governments' responses to U.S. pressure on Chinese economic interests.