FlagThis

The notorious imageboard 4chan has suffered a major security breach, resulting in a service outage and the leak of sensitive internal data. The incident, which occurred on Monday night and Tuesday, has raised concerns about the exposure of user information and the potential compromise of the anonymity afforded to the site's administrators and moderators. Hackers claim to have exfiltrated the site's source code, moderator email addresses, and internal communications, posting screenshots of 4chan's backend systems on a rival forum known as Soyjak.party.

The breach was reportedly triggered by community infighting and a "meme war" between users of 4chan and Soyjak.party. The hackers claim to have had access to 4chan's systems for over a year. The leaked data includes a list of alleged 4chan administrator and moderator usernames with associated email addresses, leading to concerns about potential doxxing and the exposure of personal information. One 4chan janitor, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, confirmed that they are “confident” that the leaked data and screenshots are “all real.”

The incident has also raised questions about 4chan's data security practices and the "false sense of security" that the platform's anonymity may have provided to users. Security experts have warned that the breach could expose the identities of individuals involved in running the forums, which have become central to alt-right movements. While the full extent of the damage remains unclear, the hack represents a significant challenge for 4chan, potentially impacting its continued operation and raising concerns about the safety and privacy of its users.

ImgSrc: techcrunch.com

References :

• : Sure looks like a five year old, inter-image board beef led to the hacking of notorious message board 4chan. The hackers claim to have exposed code for the site, the emails of moderators, and a list of mod communications, we got some of the data. https://www.404media.co/4chan-is-down-following-what-looks-to-be-a-major-hack-spurred-by-meme-war/
• Joseph Cox: Sure looks like a five year old, inter-image board beef led to the hacking of notorious message board 4chan. The hackers claim to have exposed code for the site, the emails of moderators, and a list of mod communications, we got some of the data.
• infosec.exchange: NEW: The notorious image board 4chan has been hacked. Site has been intermittently down for hours, and hackers have published screenshots of site's backend, alleged source code, and list of moderators and "janitors." One janitor told us they are "confident" data is "all real."
• techcrunch.com: The infamous website was taken down and working intermittently, while hackers leaked alleged data like moderators email addresses, and source code.
• WIRED: Suspected 4chan Hack Could Expose Longtime, Anonymous Admins
• DataBreaches.Net: 4chan hacked, internal data leaked on rival image board Mikael Thalen reports: The notorious imageboard 4chan is currently inaccessible after hackers appear to have leaked internal data from the website.
• The Register - Security: 4chan, the 'internet’s litter box,' appears to have been pillaged by rival forum Source code, moderator info, IP addresses, more allegedly swiped and leaked Thousands of 4chan users reported outages Monday night amid rumors on social media that the edgy anonymous imageboard had been ransacked by an intruder, with someone on a rival forum claiming to have leaked its source code, moderator identities, and users' IP addresses.
• PCMag UK security: 4chan Goes Offline After Hacker Appears to Hijack the Site The notorious internet bulletin board has gone offline, possibly from a serious hack, causing some to wonder if the site can recover.
• 404 Media: 4chan Is Down Following What Looks to Be a Major Hack Spurred By Meme War Hackers claim to have obtained 4chan's code, emails of moderators, and internal communications.
• techcrunch.com: Notorious image board 4chan hacked and internal data leaked
• BleepingComputer: Infamous message board 4chan taken down following major hack
• thecyberexpress.com: 4Chan Outage Sparks Cyberattack Rumors and Data Leak Concerns
• securityonline.info: 4chan Suffers Major Cyberattack, Sensitive Data Leaked
• securityonline.info: 4chan Suffers Major Cyberattack, Sensitive Data Leaked
• Sam Bent: 4chan Hacked to Hell: But Was It Always a Fed Honeypot?
• www.404media.co: 4chan Is Down Following What Looks to Be a Major Hack Spurred By Meme War
• www.itnews.com.au: Notorious internet messageboard 4chan hacked, posts claim
• hackread.com: 4chan Breached? Hacker from Rival Soyjak Forum Claims Source Code Leak
• Risky.Biz: China puts up reward for three NSA hackers; ransomware attack disrupts dialysis clinics; 4chan hacked.
• Zack Whittaker: The leak included email addresses linked to moderators, triggering suspicions of a breach, with one moderator believing it to be genuine.
• www.scworld.com: Notorious online forum 4chan has been taken down following a significant cyberattack claimed by members of the Soyjak.party imageboard, or The Party, on Monday
• hackread.com: 4chan Breached? Hacker from Rival Soyjak Forum Claims Source Code Leak
• www.newsweek.com: massive 4chan breach, source code leak, moderator and janitor account information leaked

Classification:

• HashTags: #4chanHack #DataBreach #CyberSecurity
• Company: 4chan
• Target: 4chan
• Product: Imageboard
• Feature: Data Breach
• Type: Hack
• Severity: Major