UNC5221
aka WARP PANDA, UTA0178
A group that repeatedly exploits unknown flaws in Ivanti VPN appliances, then plants a backdoor called BRICKSTORM in VMware virtualization systems and stays hidden for about a year.
- Alert level
- 3/ 5
- Reports & advisories (90 days)
- 1
- Known exploited CVEs
- 5
- Personal data leaked (disclosed)
- None confirmed
Attribution
- Assessed as a suspected China-nexus espionage actor — Google Threat Intelligence Group (Mandiant)
Exploited vulnerabilities and targeted products
CVE-2025-22457 CVE-2025-0282 CVE-2023-46805 CVE-2024-21887 CVE-2023-4966
If you run any of these products, first make sure they are updated to a fixed version.
How they attack
Entry
Exploiting internet-facing devices
Like finding a broken lock on the company's front gate (VPN or firewall) and walking in.
Inside
Backdooring the virtualization layer
Like building a hidden door into the caretaker's office that holds the keys to every room, rather than into one room.
Goal
Quietly stealing information
Like a spy who stays for months, copying files from the cabinet a little at a time.
Recent articles
Sources
Attributions are quoted as assessed by governments and security vendors. VulnPulse does not make attributions itself.
Leak counts only add up figures disclosed by the affected companies or authorities, never the attackers' own claims. We do not list victim names or link to leak sites.
The alert level is calculated automatically from reports and advisories in the last 90 days, known exploited vulnerabilities, and whether the group has targeted Japan.
Updated 2026-10-23 · daily