Hello! Have you heard about this? The open-source server monitoring tool called Nezha has been used by hackers linked to China. Just as many people have been using Nezha as a way to monitor and review health around issues, it was obviously implicated in these attacks.
They took some action:
• First, they facilitated log poisoning so they could inject malicious code into the server logs.
• Second, they used a web shell to gain access to the server.
• Third, using Nezha, they executed scripts to turn off virus protection so they remained unnoticed.
• Finally, they used Gh0st RAT to fully control the system.
Essentially, they turned into a weapon, a tool intended for good.
So, the next time you use a tool like Nezha, be extra vigilant, because even trusted tools take on a life of their own!
What is Nezha?
Nezha is a free and open-source tool for people to check the health of their servers. It’s lightweight, easy to use and has been widely adopted in the community across the IT space. Thousands of people have downloaded the piece of software from GitHub and used it for appropriate purposes.How the Hackers Used Nezha
In August 2025, the two hackers, or supported by researchers who identified a new attack where the Chinese hackers were using Nezha to set up a data convenience server and food act as Gh0st RAT, which gives the hacker full control of the computer.They took some action:
• First, they facilitated log poisoning so they could inject malicious code into the server logs.
• Second, they used a web shell to gain access to the server.
• Third, using Nezha, they executed scripts to turn off virus protection so they remained unnoticed.
• Finally, they used Gh0st RAT to fully control the system.
Essentially, they turned into a weapon, a tool intended for good.
Who Was Affected?
Most of the attempts targeted businesses in Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong, with additional attempts reported in Singapore, Malaysia, and India. In one case the attackers even switched the language on the computers to Simplified Chinese, which would be a clue to where they were coming from.Closing Thoughts
Reflecting on the Nezha hack, we can summarize its takeaway into essentially one point—never take any tool for granted. Hackers artfully and quickly can turn helpful software into a weapon. The best advice is to be vigilant, update your security to the best of your ability, and always monitor your systems.So, the next time you use a tool like Nezha, be extra vigilant, because even trusted tools take on a life of their own!
