4chan User Leaks 270GB of New York Times Code and Assets

Key Points

• A 4chan user has leaked 270GB of internal data from The New York Times, including source code, web assets, and other sensitive information.
• The leaked data contains approximately 5,000 repositories and 3.6 million files, now available for download on peer-to-peer networks.
• The leak includes files related to the newspaper’s operations, such as source code, email marketing campaigns, ad reports, and personal information.
• The New York Times has confirmed the theft, stating that an accidentally leaked credential was used to access a third-party code hosting platform.
• The newspaper claims there is no indication of unauthorized access to their internal systems or impact on their operations.

Breach and Potential Consequences

In a concerning development for cybersecurity and data protection, an anonymous 4chan user has claimed to have leaked a massive trove of internal data belonging to The New York Times Company. The leak, which reportedly amounts to 270GB of sensitive information, includes source code, web assets, and other critical files related to the newspaper’s operations.

According to the 4chan user, the leaked data encompasses “basically all source code belonging to The New York Times Company,” spanning approximately 5,000 repositories and 3.6 million files. The user has shared details on accessing and downloading these files from peer-to-peer networks, raising significant concerns about the potential misuse of this sensitive information.

Leaked Data

While The Register has not yet verified the legitimacy of the leak, the alleged list of stolen files suggests a wide range of sensitive information may have been compromised. The leak is said to include files related to various aspects of The New York Times’ operations, such as source code for their websites and applications, email marketing campaigns, advertising reports, and potentially personal information.

If the leak is confirmed to be genuine, it could pose a significant cybersecurity challenge for The New York Times. The exposure of source code and internal systems could potentially make the newspaper’s digital infrastructure vulnerable to exploitation by malicious actors. Additionally, the leak of personal information could put individuals at risk of identity theft or other forms of cybercrime.

Past Cybersecurity Incidents and Responses

This is not the first time The New York Times has faced cybersecurity threats. In 2013, the newspaper, along with other media outlets, was targeted by a group called the Syrian Electronic Army, which carried out a series of attacks that resulted in website defacements and disruptions. The Register itself was also targeted in a failed spear-phishing attempt during that period.

In 2016, suspected Russian cyber-spies gained access to email inboxes belonging to The New York Times and other American news organizations, further highlighting the ongoing cybersecurity risks faced by media companies.

The New York Times Response

In response to the alleged leak, The New York Times has confirmed the theft, stating that an accidentally leaked credential was used to access a third-party code hosting platform where their data was stored. The newspaper claims that appropriate measures were taken promptly after the incident was identified in January 2024.

According to a spokesperson from The New York Times, “There is no indication of unauthorized access to Times-owned systems nor impact to our operations related to this event.” However, the newspaper’s statement does not address the potential consequences of the leaked data being widely available on peer-to-peer networks.