US court database hacked by Russia, says New York Times report
The United States is currently dealing with a complex cyberattack on its judicial system's case filing database, which has affected federal courts in several states. The hack, first reported in July 2025 by Politico, has been described as "sophisticated and persistent" by the federal judiciary.
Investigators have found evidence linking Russia to the attack, but the suspected actors behind the hack have not been publicly identified or confirmed. The hack exploited unresolved security vulnerabilities in the electronic case filing system, potentially exposing sensitive information such as confidential court informants and witness identities.
The nature and extent of the damage caused by the hack are still being assessed. However, it is known that the attack targeted documents related to criminal activity with foreign connections, at least in eight district courts. Some of the searches conducted during the attack focused on mid-level criminal cases in New York and several other jurisdictions.
In response to the cyberattack, the U.S. courts are actively taking steps to enhance security, block future attacks on the case management system, and prioritise strengthening protections for sensitive judicial information. They are also working closely with courts to mitigate impacts on litigants.
The federal judiciary and its Administrative Office have declined to provide further comment beyond acknowledging the escalating cyberattacks and the need for increased cybersecurity measures. Chief Judge Margaret Brodie of the Eastern District of New York has issued an order prohibiting the loading of sealed documents into the public database and court dockets search system PACER.
It is important to note that no public attribution to specific attackers has been made. The investigation is ongoing, focusing on improving system defenses and mitigating damage. This is the second time the U.S. judicial system's database has been hacked, with the first incident occurring in 2021.
The Kremlin has previously described similar statements as manifestations of "blind Russophobia". Moscow has repeatedly denied accusations of involvement in cyberattacks abroad, including in the US. RIA Novosti can be read on Telegram.
Former federal law enforcement officials have suggested that Russia was behind this hack, but this has not been confirmed. The federal authorities are currently trying to determine the nature of the hack, assess the damage, and fix the system's vulnerabilities.
Administrators of the judicial system recently informed U.S. Justice Department officials, employees, and chief federal judges about a cyber threat that compromised restricted records. Last month, when the hack was detected, chief judges of district courts across the country received an unofficial warning to exclude such cases from the public database. Sealed documents are usually loaded into the PACER system in a way that people without the appropriate clearance cannot access them.
As the investigation continues, the focus remains on improving system defenses and mitigating damage. The U.S. judiciary is committed to ensuring the security and integrity of its systems and the confidentiality of sensitive information.
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