UPDATED 23:06 EDT / MAY 22 2019

SECURITY

US Air Force investigating hacking attempt instigated by the US Navy

In arguably one of the most bizarre hacking stories of modern times, the U.S. Air Force is currently investigating a hacking attempt instigated by … the U.S. Navy.

The cyberintrusion is said to involve a Navy prosecutor embedding tracking malware in emails sent to an Air Force lawyer involved in a war-crimes case. The case in question is that of Eddie Gallagher (pictured), a U.S. Navy Seal currently under court-martial for premeditated murder, attempted murder, obstruction of justice and other offenses.

According to the Air Force Times, a memo written by Captain David Wilson, a senior Navy defense lawyer, refers to malware found on a machine of a USAF officer he was working with. The Air Force defense lawyer is said to have reported the tracking device to his information security manager, who concluded the malware was a “splunk tool,” which allowed the sender of the malware to gain “full access to his computer and all files on his computer.”

It’s alleged that the Navy prosecutor was attempting to identify an individual who was leaking details of the case to the media. Carl Prine, editor of the Navy Times, a sister publication to the Air Force Times, was also targeted by the same malware.

The allegations have been taken seriously and the trial of Gallagher was suspended Wednesday as media reports of the alleged Navy hacking spread.

In a twist in what is already a bizarre story, The Daily Caller reported that the judge in the case may have authorized prosecutors to spy on the defense team. Defense attorney Tim Parlatore is quoted as saying that the prosecutors may have lied to the judge to obtain authorization to spy on the defense.

The entire case may end up moot anyway as some reports suggested President Donald Trump is considering issuing a pardon to Gallagher in the event he is found guilty of the alleged crimes.

Photo: USN

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