Kathrine Frich
The documents were among the most sensitive in the federal courts’ database.
The documents were among the most sensitive in the federal courts’ database.
Russia Linked to US Federal Court System Hack
US intelligence officials are urgently investigating a cyberattack that breached the system managing federal court documents.
Investigators believe Russia is at least partially responsible for the intrusion, which targeted highly sensitive legal files.
Hack Targeted National Security Cases
The compromised system contained sealed records involving confidential informants and individuals facing national security charges.
Officials say these documents were among the most sensitive in the federal courts’ database.
Perpetrators Not Fully Identified
While evidence points toward Russia, it is unclear whether a specific branch of its intelligence services acted alone.
Investigators are also considering whether other countries may have been involved in the attack.
Campaign of Persistent Cyber Intrusion
Officials say the hack appears to be part of a long-running campaign aimed at infiltrating federal networks.
The attack specifically queried cases involving Russian and Eastern European names, according to The New York Times.
Urgent Warnings Sent to US Courts
Internal memos reveal that clerks, judges, and Justice Department staff were told to remove classified documents from the system.
Officials described the breach as “an URGENT MATTER” requiring immediate action.
Orders to Keep Quiet Initially Issued
Chief judges across the country were quietly advised to transfer certain cases off the compromised network.
At first, they were told not to discuss the breach with other judges in their districts.
Vulnerabilities Known for Years
The federal court system’s document network has long been considered vulnerable to foreign cyberattacks.
Authorities are now racing to patch flaws and assess the scale of the damage.
Breach Comes Ahead of Trump-Putin Talks
The hack’s revelation coincides with US President Donald Trump’s planned Alaska meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Trump has said he will decide within minutes of meeting Putin whether a Ukraine peace deal is possible.
