A 24-year-old Tennessee resident, Nicholas Moore, is set to admit guilt in federal court for repeatedly hacking the U.S. Supreme Court’s electronic filing system last fall. The intrusions occurred over a period of several months, between August and October 2023, with Moore allegedly accessing protected computer systems on 25 separate occasions.
Details of the Breach
Court documents indicate Moore “intentionally accessed a computer without authorization” to obtain information, but the exact nature of the data compromised remains undisclosed. The case was first brought to light by Seamus Hughes, a court researcher, suggesting vulnerabilities in the system were detected through monitoring of public records.
Prosecutors have yet to reveal specifics about how Moore gained access, raising questions about the Court’s cybersecurity posture at the time. The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia is handling the charges, but officials declined to provide additional details beyond what is already public record.
Broader Cybersecurity Concerns
This incident is not isolated. The U.S. federal court system has faced multiple cyberattacks in recent years, including a confirmed breach in August 2023 attributed to hackers linked to the Russian government. Following that attack, the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts stated that it had reinforced its defenses.
However, Moore’s case demonstrates that vulnerabilities persist. The fact that a single individual could breach the system so frequently suggests systemic weaknesses in authentication or access controls.
Upcoming Court Proceedings
Moore is scheduled to enter his guilty plea via video conference on Friday. His attorney, Eugene Ohm, has not yet commented on the case. The Department of Justice has also remained silent, with spokespersons failing to respond to inquiries about further details.
This case underscores the ongoing threat to U.S. judicial systems from cyberattacks. It highlights the need for continuous investment in stronger cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive legal data and maintain the integrity of court operations.
