Confidential Apple files leaked to the Dark Web after vendor cyberattack

One of Apple’s key manufacturing partners in India has confirmed that it was recently the target of a cyberattack that resulted in confidential Apple documents being leaked onto the dark web.

Tata Electronics said on Monday it had detected a “cybersecurity incident”, after security researchers said Reuters This group of World Leaks ransomware had shared more than 200,000 files belonging to Apple and Tesla, both clients of the Indian group.

“A few weeks ago, Tata Electronics identified a cybersecurity incident on some of our systems. Our response protocols were deployed immediately and the incident had no impact on our operations across our businesses, which are unaffected,” Tata Electronics said. Reuters in a statement.

Apple has not commented on the leak, but a source familiar with the matter told the outlet that Apple is investigating the breach and that a “full analysis is underway.” Tata reportedly received a ransom demand related to the incident, but the group declined to comment.

Many of the leaked files reportedly contain design and component specification documents. For example, a 52-page document bears Apple’s proprietary trademarks and purportedly details quality inspection standards for iPhone circuit board components. The files also allegedly contain emails, event logs spanning several years and passport copies of employees, including foreign nationals.

Reuters According to the researchers, it has not been possible to independently verify documents available on the dark web – beyond the reach of search engines – since at least June 10.

Tata is becoming one of Apple’s most important manufacturing partners outside of China, and the breach is another setback for the group. The group is also currently the subject of a health investigation regarding alleged contamination of agricultural land located near one of its iPhone spare parts factories.