Google researchers have identified a collection of hacking tools that were used by both a Russian espionage group and a Chinese cybercriminal organization, according to a new report from the technology company.

The tools, which targeted iPhone devices, were part of what Google described as sophisticated cyber operations. The discovery highlights the complex landscape of international cybersecurity threats and the tools used to carry them out.

Sources within a U.S. government defense contractor have acknowledged that some of the hacking tools identified by Google originated from their organization. The sources did not provide details about how the tools may have been obtained by the foreign groups or the specific nature of the contractor's involvement.

The revelation raises questions about the security of sensitive cyber tools developed by defense contractors and the potential for such capabilities to fall into the hands of adversarial nations. Both Russian intelligence services and Chinese cybercriminal groups have been frequent targets of U.S. cybersecurity investigations.

Google has not released additional technical details about the specific vulnerabilities exploited or the scope of the operations conducted using these tools. The company regularly publishes research on advanced persistent threat groups and their tactics as part of its cybersecurity efforts.