Hacker leaks info on US drones: Report

NEWDELHI: Cybersecurity investigators have said sensitive information about US military drones has been leaked on the dark web after the computer of an air force captain was hacked.

Though the documents are not classified, they include a private list of airmen working with MQ-9A Reaper drones and maintenance and course material on the unmanned aerial vehicles, CNN reported.

The report – quoting Recorded Future’s Insikt Group that conducted the research – said US law enforcement is investigating the breach, and that the firm’s researchers have a “high degree of confidence” that the hacker is from South America.

According to CNN, the hacker accessed the material on the captain’s computer using a vulnerability in Netgear routers. The hacker then tried to sell the documents on the dark web, with Recorded Future confirming the authenticity of the documents.

Researchers, after following deep web message boards and forums, made contact with the hacker and discussed the sale.

The hacker told the researchers that additional military training manuals on explosive devices, a tank operation manual, and a document on tank platoon tactics were also stolen, though no information was provided on where these materials came from.

The air force is yet to respond to the revelation.