One Target, Two Flags | Rival Espionage Actors Converge On Pakistani Law Enforcement
Between February 2024 and April 2026, multiple cyberespionage actors, suspected to be China-nexus and India-nexus threat groups, conducted sustained intrusions into Pakistani law enforcement organizations, particularly Balochistan Police. The compromised infrastructure included network appliances and servers hosting web applications managing criminal records, biometric data, hotel registrations, and citizen complaints. A suspected China-nexus actor weaponized the Complaint Management System web application by deploying custom implants disguised as portal updates, targeting both police personnel and citizens. China's likely motivation stems from concerns over the safety of Chinese nationals in Pakistan, particularly regarding attacks by separatist groups. India's suspected interest relates to its adversarial relationship with Pakistan, with Balochistan Police offering intelligence on security operations in a strategically sensitive province. The attackers deployed PlugX, ShadowPad, Cobalt Strike, Remcos, an...
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
This threat involves sustained cyberespionage intrusions by multiple threat actors with suspected ties to China and India targeting Pakistani law enforcement agencies, particularly the Balochistan Police, from early 2024 through mid-2026. The attackers compromised infrastructure including network appliances and servers running web applications related to criminal records, biometric data, and citizen services. A China-nexus actor weaponized the Complaint Management System by deploying custom implants disguised as portal updates, affecting both police personnel and citizens. The operations leveraged a range of malware and tools including PlugX, ShadowPad, Cobalt Strike, Remcos, and others. The geopolitical motivations are linked to Chinese concerns over nationals' safety in Pakistan and India's interest in intelligence on security operations in a strategic province. The campaign reflects converging espionage interests from rival states targeting sensitive law enforcement data.
Potential Impact
The intrusions compromised critical law enforcement infrastructure in Pakistan, potentially exposing sensitive criminal records, biometric data, hotel registrations, and citizen complaints. The deployment of implants and advanced malware tools could enable persistent espionage, data exfiltration, and operational disruption. The targeting of both personnel and citizens through weaponized web applications increases the scope of impact. The espionage activities may undermine law enforcement confidentiality and regional security.
Mitigation Recommendations
No specific patch or remediation is indicated for this threat as it involves targeted cyberespionage operations rather than a software vulnerability. Organizations should follow best practices for securing web applications and network appliances, monitor for indicators of compromise related to the mentioned malware families, and apply threat intelligence updates from trusted sources. Since this is an ongoing espionage campaign, continuous monitoring and incident response preparedness are advised.
Affected Countries
Pakistan
Indicators of Compromise
- ip: 172.94.9.19
- ip: 172.94.9.19
- domain: cms.balochistanpolice.gov.pk
- domain: cms.balochistanpolice.gov.pk
- ip: 172.111.233.105
- ip: 172.111.233.96
- ip: 142.171.183.8
- ip: 172.111.233.12
- ip: 193.42.25.65
- ip: 45.125.32.218
- ip: 89.31.121.220
- hash: fc59fc3d4b2af739014de04428ce2fb5
- hash: fc59fc3d4b2af739014de04428ce2fb5
- hash: d92fac74e6d7f4d8fc96c9ce6239435f
- hash: d92fac74e6d7f4d8fc96c9ce6239435f
- hash: 000fad96a85dd6933c22d3dbec9aed47b7f1f066
- hash: 000fad96a85dd6933c22d3dbec9aed47b7f1f066
- hash: c6c197e61079a0a33108c2c87b5e3c7056a138ec
- hash: c6c197e61079a0a33108c2c87b5e3c7056a138ec
- hash: 96b15bb9ce8ef7c41b708b1620029d99
- hash: 96b15bb9ce8ef7c41b708b1620029d99
- hash: 91693c2d5a4b7d090fe06cc7382dfc18
- hash: 91693c2d5a4b7d090fe06cc7382dfc18
- ip: 172.94.9.43
- ip: 172.94.9.43
- ip: 172.94.9.49
- ip: 172.94.9.49
- hash: 08570471f39bb6725f07b8cddbea99ed48c22686
- hash: 08570471f39bb6725f07b8cddbea99ed48c22686
- hash: 23f4766c011d193f076dfc735dc460e2a41ead79
- hash: 23f4766c011d193f076dfc735dc460e2a41ead79
- hash: 23f6781919a50b118d8d4e6a7e9ae63b71ecc885
- hash: 23f6781919a50b118d8d4e6a7e9ae63b71ecc885
- hash: 2bab40c55637398f0497cff9c8cbea564d595c7f
- hash: 2bab40c55637398f0497cff9c8cbea564d595c7f
- hash: 4039454c9189e64285e93fc075a30b93f814b5b5
- hash: 4039454c9189e64285e93fc075a30b93f814b5b5
- hash: 47f8cb0c2dcf62702f58cfc1603d6325755f6820
- hash: 47f8cb0c2dcf62702f58cfc1603d6325755f6820
- hash: 539bd79fbb684edea94eb37518134b97e94b9dd8
- hash: 539bd79fbb684edea94eb37518134b97e94b9dd8
- hash: 58cb2d95063b9df807b7aa8dc106b74ce988a491
- hash: 58cb2d95063b9df807b7aa8dc106b74ce988a491
- hash: 5d60ff36ff519c2e13e7f66cfa0bb46be79592a7
- hash: 5d60ff36ff519c2e13e7f66cfa0bb46be79592a7
- hash: 63b88d00331de88af696dfb7a896935d830e485f
- hash: 63b88d00331de88af696dfb7a896935d830e485f
- hash: 6fe2e74d009abbd56de01fd7404a1245e9b47c79
- hash: 6fe2e74d009abbd56de01fd7404a1245e9b47c79
- hash: 71757adba833b46f961e840d0f055bcce0b529c4
- hash: 71757adba833b46f961e840d0f055bcce0b529c4
- hash: 8c329db96e093fa25268e078405a33c518dbb5c9
- hash: 8c329db96e093fa25268e078405a33c518dbb5c9
- hash: d66ab0cd2e44dc8389c111b7ed34c7bcb0b35311
- hash: d66ab0cd2e44dc8389c111b7ed34c7bcb0b35311
- hash: 1fd8ba64a687247466fa6e8b7d194154439ef527746fdb8c18b3c3d65b6d2390
- hash: 1fd8ba64a687247466fa6e8b7d194154439ef527746fdb8c18b3c3d65b6d2390
- hash: 71fa6a00314701fef5c6f32c17e1438063d05616198ac9a12004aeab957e11ae
- hash: 71fa6a00314701fef5c6f32c17e1438063d05616198ac9a12004aeab957e11ae
- hash: 7ea0930a332788c2e88e5822e4908d77cdcaad57e0e97401ed8fe4b117fdfc95
- hash: 7ea0930a332788c2e88e5822e4908d77cdcaad57e0e97401ed8fe4b117fdfc95
- hash: 9fb6f4c55e5198739123264f8007cf6e22b3821af97a00a471bd54b30991ecd0
- hash: 9fb6f4c55e5198739123264f8007cf6e22b3821af97a00a471bd54b30991ecd0
- ip: 41.216.188.140
- ip: 41.216.188.140
- url: http://cms.balochistanpolice.gov.pk/client%20scripts/
- url: http://cms.balochistanpolice.gov.pk/client%20scripts/cms_plugin.exe
- url: http://cms.balochistanpolice.gov.pk/client%20scripts/cms_plugin.exe
- ip: 172.111.233.26
- ip: 172.111.233.36
- ip: 45.74.6.17
One Target, Two Flags | Rival Espionage Actors Converge On Pakistani Law Enforcement
Description
Between February 2024 and April 2026, multiple cyberespionage actors, suspected to be China-nexus and India-nexus threat groups, conducted sustained intrusions into Pakistani law enforcement organizations, particularly Balochistan Police. The compromised infrastructure included network appliances and servers hosting web applications managing criminal records, biometric data, hotel registrations, and citizen complaints. A suspected China-nexus actor weaponized the Complaint Management System web application by deploying custom implants disguised as portal updates, targeting both police personnel and citizens. China's likely motivation stems from concerns over the safety of Chinese nationals in Pakistan, particularly regarding attacks by separatist groups. India's suspected interest relates to its adversarial relationship with Pakistan, with Balochistan Police offering intelligence on security operations in a strategically sensitive province. The attackers deployed PlugX, ShadowPad, Cobalt Strike, Remcos, an...
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
This threat involves sustained cyberespionage intrusions by multiple threat actors with suspected ties to China and India targeting Pakistani law enforcement agencies, particularly the Balochistan Police, from early 2024 through mid-2026. The attackers compromised infrastructure including network appliances and servers running web applications related to criminal records, biometric data, and citizen services. A China-nexus actor weaponized the Complaint Management System by deploying custom implants disguised as portal updates, affecting both police personnel and citizens. The operations leveraged a range of malware and tools including PlugX, ShadowPad, Cobalt Strike, Remcos, and others. The geopolitical motivations are linked to Chinese concerns over nationals' safety in Pakistan and India's interest in intelligence on security operations in a strategic province. The campaign reflects converging espionage interests from rival states targeting sensitive law enforcement data.
Potential Impact
The intrusions compromised critical law enforcement infrastructure in Pakistan, potentially exposing sensitive criminal records, biometric data, hotel registrations, and citizen complaints. The deployment of implants and advanced malware tools could enable persistent espionage, data exfiltration, and operational disruption. The targeting of both personnel and citizens through weaponized web applications increases the scope of impact. The espionage activities may undermine law enforcement confidentiality and regional security.
Defensive Guidance
No specific patch or remediation is indicated for this threat as it involves targeted cyberespionage operations rather than a software vulnerability. Organizations should follow best practices for securing web applications and network appliances, monitor for indicators of compromise related to the mentioned malware families, and apply threat intelligence updates from trusted sources. Since this is an ongoing espionage campaign, continuous monitoring and incident response preparedness are advised.
Affected Countries
Technical Details
- Author
- AlienVault
- Tlp
- white
- References
- ["https://www.sentinelone.com/labs/one-target-china-india-espionage-converge-on-pakistani-law-enforcement/"]
- Adversary
- TAG-179
- Pulse Id
- 6a501da43fb3cb230cc9a9b9
- Threat Score
- null
Indicators of Compromise
Ip
| Value | Description | Copy |
|---|---|---|
ip172.94.9.19 | CC=DE ASN=AS3223 voxility llp | |
ip172.94.9.19 | — | |
ip172.111.233.105 | CC=US ASN=AS9009 m247 ltd | |
ip172.111.233.96 | CC=US ASN=AS9009 m247 ltd | |
ip142.171.183.8 | CC=CA ASN=AS577 bell canada | |
ip172.111.233.12 | CC=US ASN=AS9009 m247 ltd | |
ip193.42.25.65 | CC=HK ASN=AS55933 cloudie limited | |
ip45.125.32.218 | CC=HK ASN=AS55933 cloudie limited | |
ip89.31.121.220 | CC=RS ASN=AS9009 m247 ltd | |
ip172.94.9.43 | CC=DE ASN=AS3223 voxility llp | |
ip172.94.9.43 | — | |
ip172.94.9.49 | CC=DE ASN=AS3223 voxility llp | |
ip172.94.9.49 | — | |
ip41.216.188.140 | — | |
ip41.216.188.140 | CC=US ASN=AS211138 private-hosting di cipriano oscar | |
ip172.111.233.26 | CC=US ASN=AS9009 m247 ltd | |
ip172.111.233.36 | CC=US ASN=AS9009 m247 ltd | |
ip45.74.6.17 | CC=BE ASN=AS9009 m247 ltd |
Domain
| Value | Description | Copy |
|---|---|---|
domaincms.balochistanpolice.gov.pk | — | |
domaincms.balochistanpolice.gov.pk | — |
Hash
| Value | Description | Copy |
|---|---|---|
hashfc59fc3d4b2af739014de04428ce2fb5 | — | |
hashfc59fc3d4b2af739014de04428ce2fb5 | MD5 of 2bab40c55637398f0497cff9c8cbea564d595c7f | |
hashd92fac74e6d7f4d8fc96c9ce6239435f | — | |
hashd92fac74e6d7f4d8fc96c9ce6239435f | MD5 of 539bd79fbb684edea94eb37518134b97e94b9dd8 | |
hash000fad96a85dd6933c22d3dbec9aed47b7f1f066 | — | |
hash000fad96a85dd6933c22d3dbec9aed47b7f1f066 | — | |
hashc6c197e61079a0a33108c2c87b5e3c7056a138ec | — | |
hashc6c197e61079a0a33108c2c87b5e3c7056a138ec | — | |
hash96b15bb9ce8ef7c41b708b1620029d99 | — | |
hash96b15bb9ce8ef7c41b708b1620029d99 | MD5 of 6fe2e74d009abbd56de01fd7404a1245e9b47c79 | |
hash91693c2d5a4b7d090fe06cc7382dfc18 | — | |
hash91693c2d5a4b7d090fe06cc7382dfc18 | MD5 of 47f8cb0c2dcf62702f58cfc1603d6325755f6820 | |
hash08570471f39bb6725f07b8cddbea99ed48c22686 | — | |
hash08570471f39bb6725f07b8cddbea99ed48c22686 | — | |
hash23f4766c011d193f076dfc735dc460e2a41ead79 | — | |
hash23f4766c011d193f076dfc735dc460e2a41ead79 | — | |
hash23f6781919a50b118d8d4e6a7e9ae63b71ecc885 | — | |
hash23f6781919a50b118d8d4e6a7e9ae63b71ecc885 | — | |
hash2bab40c55637398f0497cff9c8cbea564d595c7f | — | |
hash2bab40c55637398f0497cff9c8cbea564d595c7f | — | |
hash4039454c9189e64285e93fc075a30b93f814b5b5 | — | |
hash4039454c9189e64285e93fc075a30b93f814b5b5 | — | |
hash47f8cb0c2dcf62702f58cfc1603d6325755f6820 | — | |
hash47f8cb0c2dcf62702f58cfc1603d6325755f6820 | — | |
hash539bd79fbb684edea94eb37518134b97e94b9dd8 | — | |
hash539bd79fbb684edea94eb37518134b97e94b9dd8 | — | |
hash58cb2d95063b9df807b7aa8dc106b74ce988a491 | — | |
hash58cb2d95063b9df807b7aa8dc106b74ce988a491 | — | |
hash5d60ff36ff519c2e13e7f66cfa0bb46be79592a7 | — | |
hash5d60ff36ff519c2e13e7f66cfa0bb46be79592a7 | — | |
hash63b88d00331de88af696dfb7a896935d830e485f | — | |
hash63b88d00331de88af696dfb7a896935d830e485f | — | |
hash6fe2e74d009abbd56de01fd7404a1245e9b47c79 | — | |
hash6fe2e74d009abbd56de01fd7404a1245e9b47c79 | — | |
hash71757adba833b46f961e840d0f055bcce0b529c4 | — | |
hash71757adba833b46f961e840d0f055bcce0b529c4 | — | |
hash8c329db96e093fa25268e078405a33c518dbb5c9 | — | |
hash8c329db96e093fa25268e078405a33c518dbb5c9 | — | |
hashd66ab0cd2e44dc8389c111b7ed34c7bcb0b35311 | — | |
hashd66ab0cd2e44dc8389c111b7ed34c7bcb0b35311 | — | |
hash1fd8ba64a687247466fa6e8b7d194154439ef527746fdb8c18b3c3d65b6d2390 | SHA256 of 2bab40c55637398f0497cff9c8cbea564d595c7f | |
hash1fd8ba64a687247466fa6e8b7d194154439ef527746fdb8c18b3c3d65b6d2390 | — | |
hash71fa6a00314701fef5c6f32c17e1438063d05616198ac9a12004aeab957e11ae | SHA256 of 539bd79fbb684edea94eb37518134b97e94b9dd8 | |
hash71fa6a00314701fef5c6f32c17e1438063d05616198ac9a12004aeab957e11ae | — | |
hash7ea0930a332788c2e88e5822e4908d77cdcaad57e0e97401ed8fe4b117fdfc95 | — | |
hash7ea0930a332788c2e88e5822e4908d77cdcaad57e0e97401ed8fe4b117fdfc95 | SHA256 of 6fe2e74d009abbd56de01fd7404a1245e9b47c79 | |
hash9fb6f4c55e5198739123264f8007cf6e22b3821af97a00a471bd54b30991ecd0 | — | |
hash9fb6f4c55e5198739123264f8007cf6e22b3821af97a00a471bd54b30991ecd0 | SHA256 of 47f8cb0c2dcf62702f58cfc1603d6325755f6820 |
Url
| Value | Description | Copy |
|---|---|---|
urlhttp://cms.balochistanpolice.gov.pk/client%20scripts/ | — | |
urlhttp://cms.balochistanpolice.gov.pk/client%20scripts/cms_plugin.exe | — | |
urlhttp://cms.balochistanpolice.gov.pk/client%20scripts/cms_plugin.exe | — |
Threat ID: 6a50a39468715ace433baa42
Added to database: 07/10/2026, 07:47:32 UTC
Last enriched: 08/09/2026, 12:41:43 UTC
Last updated: 08/24/2026, 04:22:24 UTC
Views: 156
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