Chinese hackers breach Dutch semiconductor giant NXP

Chinese-linked hacker group Chimera successfully infiltrated the network of NXP, the prominent Dutch semiconductor company, maintaining undetected access for over two years, according to recent reports. The breach, which occurred from late 2017 to early 2020, was exposed during an investigation into a similar attack on Dutch airline Transavia, a subsidiary of KLM, in September 2019.

Chimera's sophisticated intrusion involved the use of its ChimeRAR hacker tool, and during the prolonged access period, the hackers allegedly stole intellectual property, including crucial chip designs. Although the extent of the theft is yet to be fully disclosed, NXP claims that the stolen data is sufficiently complex, making it challenging for unauthorized use. Consequently, the company did not inform the general public about the breach.

NXP, as Europe's largest chipmaker, holds a significant position in the global semiconductor market, especially after acquiring Freescale, an American company, in 2015. The company is renowned for developing secure Mifare chips for public transportation in the Netherlands, as well as secure elements for Apple Pay, particularly the iPhone.

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NXP is said to have increased network security after the breach. The business upgraded its monitoring systems and tightened internal controls on data access and transfer.