In a revealing development, a newly launched hacking forum named ‘Exposed’ has publicly leaked a substantial database from the infamous RaidForums. The disclosure will bring unprecedented insights into the members of the hacking community for both cybercriminals and security researchers.
RaidForums, a notorious hub for hackers who would freely share stolen data to bolster their reputation, was seized in April 2022 in an international operation, which also led to the arrest of its administrator, Omnipotent.
After the takedown, many members migrated to another infamous forum, Breached, which then faced a similar fate in March 2023. Breached’s shutdown followed the arrest of Pompompurin, its owner, by the FBI.
The “Exposed” leak is an extensive SQL file of the mybb_users table from RaidForums. According to an analysis by BleepingComputer, it contains data of 478,870 RaidForums members, including usernames, hashed passwords, email addresses, and registration dates for users who signed up between March 20, 2015 and Sept. 24, 2020.
This significant exposure serves as a potent reminder of the persistent risks and potential repercussions associated with involvement in these clandestine online communities, highlighting the intensifying cat-and-mouse game between global legal authorities and the underground world of cybercrime.
Although cyber crooks could inadvertently exploit the leak, it also furnishes an invaluable reservoir of information for security specialists striving to deepen their comprehension and tackle digital threats.
While forums like RaidForums and Breached have been closed, this incident highlights the steady evolution of the hacking landscape and the inevitable emergence of new platforms like” Exposed.”
Authorities worldwide will undoubtedly be examining this new information, hoping it can lead to further identification of cybercriminals and potentially prevent future breaches.