DOJ Says Trenchant Boss Sold Exploits to Russian Broker Capable of Accessing 'Millions of Computers and Devices'
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced that the former boss of Trenchant, a hacking and surveillance tools maker owned by L3Harris, has been charged with selling several exploits to a Russian broker. The broker, which counts the Russian government among its customers, is capable of accessing millions of computers and devices.
According to the DOJ, the former boss of Trenchant sold the exploits to the Russian broker, which used them to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information. The DOJ has charged the former boss with nine counts of conspiracy to commit computer fraud and abuse, and nine counts of computer fraud and abuse.
The sale of the exploits is believed to have occurred in 2024, and the DOJ has been investigating the matter since then. The investigation was led by the FBI's Cyber Division, with assistance from the Department of Homeland Security's Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.
The case highlights the growing concern over the sale of exploits and other hacking tools on the black market. The DOJ has been cracking down on the sale of such tools, and this case is the latest example of the agency's efforts to combat cybercrime.
The Charges
The former boss of Trenchant has been charged with nine counts of conspiracy to commit computer fraud and abuse, and nine counts of computer fraud and abuse. The charges carry a maximum penalty of nine years in prison.
The Investigation
The investigation into the sale of the exploits was led by the FBI's Cyber Division, with assistance from the Department of Homeland Security's Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. The investigation was launched in 2024, after the DOJ received a tip about the sale of the exploits.
The Impact
The sale of the exploits has the potential to have a significant impact on national security. The Russian government has been known to use such tools to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information, and the sale of the exploits could have allowed them to do so.
The case highlights the growing concern over the sale of exploits and other hacking tools on the black market. The DOJ has been cracking down on the sale of such tools, and this case is the latest example of the agency's efforts to combat cybercrime.