CYBERATTACK on major French naval defense company raises national security alarms

By ramontomeydw // 2025-07-29

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Hackers infiltrated France's top naval defense contractor, Naval Group, exposing sensitive military software, technical documents and source code for submarine combat systems, posing severe risks to national security.
Unlike typical cyberattacks where data is sold, the hackers leaked a 13GB sample (partially verified) and threatened extortion, pressuring the company to pay before further disclosures.
Naval Group – builder of France's nuclear aircraft carrier with roots dating to the 17th century – houses classified naval tech. A breach could force costly upgrades and operational changes to prevent exploitation by adversaries.
The leak raises concerns among NATO allies sharing naval technology and highlights vulnerabilities in military supply chains, with potential gaps in defense contractor cybersecurity worldwide.
The attack underscores how even long-established defense institutions are vulnerable in an era where cyber threats blur espionage and crime, risking decades of national security compromises.

A staggering cybersecurity breach at France's largest naval defense contractor Naval Group has allegedly exposed sensitive combat system software used in the country's submarines and frigates, posing a grave threat to national security. Hackers announced the intrusion on a prominent data leak forum, claiming to have stolen classified technical documents, source code and internal communications. The bad actors leveraged the stolen data not for sale but for extortion. The Paris-based Naval Group, a cornerstone of European defense with revenues exceeding $5 billion, has yet to confirm the breach. Researchers from Cybernews analyzing a 13-gigabyte sample of the leaked files found partial evidence of authenticity, deepening fears about the repercussions for France's military readiness. Digital warfare has increasingly blurred the lines between espionage and organized crime, with defense contractors becoming prime targets. (Related: National security BREACHED after hackers break into most sensitive U.S. government files.) The breach deals a serious blow to the naval defense contractor, which traces its origins to the 17th century and houses some of the nation's most guarded naval technology. During its time as DCN, the company built built France's nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle. It later changed its name twice – to DCNS in 2007 following several acquisitions, and to Naval Group (its current name) in 2017. The attackers' post included details such as source code for submarine combat management systems (CMS), network topology data, restricted technical documents and intercepted confidential messages. It raises the specter of adversaries reverse-engineering military systems or exploiting vulnerabilities in active fleets. But among the leaked files was submarine monitoring footage from 2003, hinting at possible outdated data mixed with current secrets.

Naval Group hack exposes fatal flaws

The breach's timing coincides with heightened cyber threats against critical infrastructure globally, where ransomware gangs and state-backed actors exploit weak defenses for financial or geopolitical gain. Unlike typical attacks where stolen data is auctioned, this operation mirrors high-stakes extortion campaigns, pressuring victims to pay before leaks escalate. Cybernews researchers noted the partial legitimacy of the sample but cautioned that hackers often exaggerate their haul's significance. If verified, however, the exposure of CMS source codes could force France into costly system upgrades and operational overhauls to prevent exploitation by hostile nations. Naval Group's prominence in Europe's defense industry – partnering with governments and private entities like Thales Group – makes this incident a bellwether for cybersecurity vulnerabilities in military supply chains. The French Ministry of Armed Forces faces mounting pressure to address potential gaps, not just in Naval Group's systems but across defense contractors shielding sensitive technologies. Past breaches, such as the 2021 ransomware attack on Ireland's health service, underscore how cybercriminals paralyze critical operations. However, a military-focused leak carries wider strategic consequences. As Naval Group remains silent, the implications ripple beyond France. North Atlantic Treaty Organization allies reliant on shared naval technology may scrutinize their own defenses, while adversaries could exploit any verified leaks. Ultimately, the Naval Group breach underscores a brutal truth. Even centuries-old defense institutions are vulnerable in the digital age, where a single breach can compromise national security for decades. Watch this video about a massive data breach that exposed 16 billion passwords. This video is from the newsplusglobe channel on Brighteon.com.

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Naval Group hack exposes fatal flaws

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