Cybercriminal group claims it stole FBI personnel and applicant data

September 23, 2026 / 4:59 PM EDT / CBS News

A notorious cybercriminal group claims it breached the FBI on Monday and stole data about personnel and job applicants.

The group, which calls itself ShinyHunters, claimed in communications posted on the dark web and exchanges with multiple media outlets that it stole 2 to 3 terabytes of data related to FBI and Justice Department workers. The hackers claim to have used a new vulnerability with Oracle PeopleSoft, a human resources management program.

RansomLook, an open-source ransomware intelligence archive that monitors data leak sites, has captured and archived two statements posted under the ShinyHunters identity concerning the group's claimed FBI breach.

On Tuesday, ShinyHunters claimed in a post that was addressed to FBI Director Kash Patel and FBI Cyber Division Assistant Director Brett Leatherman: "We have compromised the FBI."

The cybercriminals said they possessed sensitive information concerning nearly all FBI agents, as well as people who applied for FBI jobs. It listed criminal justice, human resources and Medlink systems among the services that were affected.

On Tuesday, the home page for FBI careers had a "System Unavailable" message at the top of the page. It read, "Apply.fbijobs.gov and the Special Agent…

Original source: https://www.cbsnews.com/moneywatch/