| China Information Technology Security Evaluation Center | |
| Type: | Bureau |
| Jurisdiction: | Government of China |
| Headquarters: | Building 1, Yard No.8, Shangdi West Road, Haidian District, Beijing, China |
| Employees: | classified |
| Parent Agency: | Ministry of State Security |
| Child12 Agency: | Chinese National Vulnerability Database |
| Parent Agency Type: | Ministry |
The China Information Technology Security Evaluation Center (; CNITSEC,) is the cover identity of the 13th Bureau of the Ministry of State Security, the information technology component of China's civilian spy agency which houses much of its technical cyber expertise.[1] The bureau manages much of the conduct of cyberespionage for the agency, and provides aid to the many advanced persistent threats (APTs) run directly by the agency, by its semi-autonomous provincial State Security Departments (SSD) and municipal State Security Bureaus (SSB), and by contractors.[2] In support of provincial state and party leadership, the bureau also runs its own semi-autonomous provincial Information Technology Security Evaluation Centers (ITSEC) in collaboration with provincial counterparts. In the past these ITSECs have been identified collaborating with APTs run by provincial state security units. The bureau also manages the Chinese National Vulnerability Database (CNNVD), where it has been found to selectively suppress or delay public reporting of certain zero-day vulnerabilities.[3]
CNITSEC is used by the MSS to “conduct vulnerability testing and software reliability assessments.” Per a 2009 U.S. State Department cable, it is believed China may also use vulnerabilities derived from CNITSEC's activities in intelligence operations.
Many believe that government requirements for CNITSEC to conduct "security reviews" of all foreign tech imports are intended to allow the MSS to identify zero-day vulnerabilities in the technology for use in intelligence operations, and force foreign companies to transfer proprietary technology and intellectual property to the MSS in exchange for access to Chinese markets.
See main article: Chinese National Vulnerability Database. CNNVD is one of two national vulnerability databases operated by the PRC. According to Kristin Del Rosso of Sophos, "they have a history of strategically hoarding vulnerabilities." Recorded Future uncovered more than 200 vulnerability disclosures that had their original publication dates altered in a "sloppy coverup" following their discovery that vulnerabilities disclosure dates lagged reporting.[4] [5]
In November 2016, a US Department of Defense report leaked, exposing the clients of Boyusec, a Guangzhou-based company responsible for the advanced persistent threat known as APT3. According to the Pentagon's report, Boyusec was actually a front for the MSS, who was working with Huawei to produce compromised security products with built-in backdoors that would allow Chinese intelligence “to capture data and control computer and telecommunications equipment.” The front's other client was Guangdong ITSEC, the provincial affiliate office of CNITSEC.[6]