Russia Suspected in Hack Targeting US Federal Court Databases
Databases used by US federal courts to manage and share case documents were recently compromised in a cyberattack. Initial reports surfaced last week, with suspicions now pointing to Russian involvement. The breach impacted both the Case Management/Electronic Case Files (CM/ECF) system and PACER, which are critical for legal professionals and public access to court records.
The Administrative Office of the US Courts detected the intrusion in July, though the full scope remains unclear. Officials described the attackers as persistent and highly sophisticated. While details are scarce, anonymous sources indicate that confidential informants in criminal cases may have been exposed. Some of the breached files involved cases with individuals of Russian or Eastern European descent, particularly in the New York City area.
Federal judges in the 8th Circuit, covering states like Missouri and Minnesota, were reportedly briefed on the incident. However, the agency leading the investigation has not been confirmed. The breach raises concerns about foreign espionage, though no direct evidence linking Russian intelligence has been disclosed.
This is not the first time CM/ECF has been targeted. In 2021, the judiciary introduced additional security measures following a similar attack. A new update on August 7 outlined further safeguards in response to the latest breach. Courts have been instructed to move sensitive case files offline, with some districts restricting access to CM/ECF and PACER entirely as a precaution.
The incident underscores ongoing vulnerabilities in government systems and the risks posed by state-sponsored cyber threats. As investigations continue, the focus remains on securing judicial data and assessing the potential fallout from the breach.
