Global Digital Billboard Network Hijacked to Broadcast Pornographic Content Across Multiple Countries
A global hacking group breached digital billboards in Egypt, Malaysia, and beyond to broadcast explicit footage, exposing massive security flaws.
POLICY WIRE — Giza, Egypt — A coordinated wave of cyberattacks has targeted digital billboards across the globe, forcing explicit material onto public displays in several nations. A group claiming responsibility for the operation asserted that the vulnerability was so elementary that “anyone with two brain cells” could have executed the hack.
The most prominent incident occurred on a massive screen along the 26th of July Axis, one of Egypt’s primary thoroughfares. Motorists reportedly pulled over to film the broadcast of adult-only content, which featured text identifying the source as Leaked by: Ch, 19ylegal and nivex along with the Telegram handle @LeakersGov.
According to CNN, the Egyptian Ministry of Interior attributed the breach to a cyberattack on the website of an unnamed international firm hired by the billboard operator. The ministry stated the attack allowed footage to appear in various countries simultaneously and confirmed that legal actions are underway.
Al Arabia United, the Egyptian entity managing the display, confirmed they deactivated the screen immediately after identifying unauthorized access. The company is currently cooperating with government officials to investigate the security failure.
In Malaysia, the Kluang Municipal Council verified that several of its public LED screens were also compromised. The local council powered down the displays and is consulting with its vendor to investigate the incident and bolster security protocols.
Reports from Gizmodo indicate a confirmed breach in Brazil, while similar claims of hacked screens emerged from Iraq and China.
The group known as Leakers$ explained that they exploited a flaw in the software used to transmit content to LED displays. Members claimed that an automated scan identified thousands of exposed systems that lacked basic security protections, noting their goal was to highlight poor security rather than to demand a ransom.
A member of Leakers$ told The Cairo Report, It was a genuine vulnerability in the software responsible for transmitting content to LED displays. After exploiting it, we gained access to systems in several countries, not just Egypt, but also Malaysia, Brazil, and others.
The event mirrors a 2019 incident in Auburn Hills, Michigan, where a billboard near the I-75 and M-59 displayed pornography for approximately twenty minutes. While no accidents were reported, police warned that the footage created a significant distraction for drivers.
Additionally, an outdoor screen in New Zealand showed explicit content for nine hours, with similar hacks reportedly occurring in Australia and Indonesia.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)>
