Malware dubbed MessageTap was discovered by FireEye Mandiant in an unspecified telecom network. Malware intercepts network traffic and sniffs out certain phone numbers and SMS messages. Messages with keywords relating to Chinese political dissidents were targeted by APT41, researchers said. The malware was seen intercepting network traffic to read SMS message contents, pick up IMSI numbers, as well as access the source and destination phone numbers for phone calls. The researchers said this shows the highly targeted nature of this cyber-intrusion .
Source: https://threatpost.com/china-hackers-spy-texts-messagetap-malware/149761/