Hacker Steals 10 Petabytes of Data From China's Tianjin Supercomputer Center
Source: Slashdot
Overview
An anonymous reader quoted a CNN report stating that a hacker allegedly stole a massive trove of sensitive data—including highly classified defense documents and missile schematics—from a state‑run Chinese supercomputer. The dataset is reported to contain more than 10 petabytes of sensitive information and is believed to have been taken from the National Supercomputing Center (NSCC) in Tianjin, which provides infrastructure services for over 6,000 clients across China, including advanced science and defense agencies.
Details of the Leak
Cyber experts who have spoken to the alleged hacker and reviewed samples posted online say the attackers gained entry to the supercomputer with relative ease and siphoned data over several months without detection. An account calling itself FlamingChina posted a sample of the alleged dataset on an anonymous Telegram channel on February 6, claiming it contained “research across various fields including aerospace engineering, military research, bioinformatics, fusion simulation and more.”
The group alleges the information is linked to top organizations such as:
- Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC)
- Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC)
- National University of Defense Technology
Reactions and Verification
Cybersecurity experts who examined the data note that the group is offering a limited preview of the alleged dataset for a fee, with full access priced at hundreds of thousands of dollars. Payment is requested in cryptocurrency.
CNN could not independently verify the origins of the dataset or the claims made by FlamingChina, but it spoke with multiple experts whose initial assessment indicated the leak appeared genuine. The sample data reportedly includes documents marked “secret” in Chinese, along with technical files, animated simulations, and renderings of defense equipment such as bombs and missiles.
Pricing and Payment
- Preview access: thousands of dollars
- Full dataset: hundreds of thousands of dollars
- Payment method: cryptocurrency