NATO server hacked, files published

A NATO server appears to have been hacked by a group that claims to have rooted the server with a private zero day exploit.

A private zero day exploit is a vulnerability discovered in a system that is not disclosed publicly before being used in an attack.

A 50 MB backup of 2646 files from what reportedly was NATO's Apache Tomcat servlet was posted on a cyberlocker to prove the attack.

Online group Team Inj3ct0r claimed responsibility for the attack under the auspices of the AntiSec hacking movement and said it was made in response to alleged "nuclear weapons its development (sic) and financing".

In a text file note left on the server, the group said:

"NATO lamers! I've been watching you day and night since then! W00t! Your Machines rooted! Servers restored to default! what else! F**k you and your crimes! and soon enough all your stupid ideas will be published on WikiLeaks!
Greetz.. I stand alone :)"

The attack is the second to hit NATO in as many months, following an attack on a third party NATO bookshop in June.

The threat of hacking and activist groups has not gone unnoticed by NATO. In a report last month NATO General Rapporteur Lord Jopling said:

"Observers note that Anonymous is becoming more and more sophisticated and could potentially hack into sensitive government, military, and corporate files. ...even if one is in favour of transparency, military and intelligence operations simply cannot be planned and consulted with the public. Transparency cannot exist without control. The government, and especially its security agencies, must have the right to limit access to information in order to govern and to protect."