Massive Cyberattack on Saudi Games Exposes Global Hacktivist Warfare

Rising Tide of Cyber Conflict: Introduction

In a chilling reminder of how digital threats can shake geopolitical landscapes, thousands of sensitive records tied to the Saudi Games have been leaked by the Iranian-linked hacktivist group Cyber Fattah. As tensions flare across the Middle East and beyond, this breach signals a dangerous evolution in hacktivism—where ideology, cyber warfare, and propaganda intersect. The attack not only compromised personal and government data but also highlighted the increasing sophistication of regional threat actors and their strategic focus on high-profile events and critical infrastructure. Here’s a closer look at what happened, who’s behind it, and what it means for the future of digital security.

the Cyber Fattah Data Leak

On June 22, 2025, a Telegram announcement from the pro-Iranian group Cyber Fattah revealed a significant data breach, involving thousands of personal records linked to the Saudi Games. According to cybersecurity firm Resecurity, the hackers exploited phpMyAdmin to extract sensitive SQL database records. This breach forms part of a broader Iranian campaign targeting the U.S., Israel, and Saudi Arabia through cyber propaganda.

The stolen data includes credentials of IT staff, government emails, athlete and visitor information, passport and ID scans, financial records, and medical documents. The data appears to originate from the Saudi Games 2024 official website and was published on DarkForums by an anonymous user named ZeroDayX—likely a throwaway account made to spotlight the hack.

Resecurity connects this breach to a larger wave of cyberattacks carried out by Middle Eastern hacktivists. Notably, over 119 hacktivist groups have claimed operations tied to Iran and Israel. Cyber Fattah, notorious for targeting Israeli and Western systems, has worked with groups like 313 Team, which once took down the Truth Social platform in retaliation for U.S. actions.

Interestingly, the attack also illustrates a shift from Israel-centric operations to wider anti-U.S. and anti-Saudi cyber narratives. Meanwhile, pro-Israel groups have also retaliated. Predatory Sparrow, a known Israeli-affiliated hacktivist collective, recently leaked data from Iran’s Ministry of Communications and crippled Nobitex, Iran’s top crypto exchange, incinerating \$90 million in digital assets in the process.

This back-and-forth is escalating. On June 18, IRIB—the Iranian state broadcaster—was hijacked to display anti-Iran imagery, with Tehran blaming Israel. Similarly, pro-Palestine groups like the Handala Team have started leaking Israeli corporate data, including Delek Group and AeroDreams, intensifying the digital conflict.

Cyber unions, such as Cyber Islamic Resistance and United Cyber Front for Palestine and Iran, are forming by consolidating smaller groups. Though often lacking advanced capabilities, their synchronized campaigns create significant impact. One such group, DieNet, mixes pro-Iran and pro-Hamas ideology while possibly operating with Russian-speaking members—suggesting a cross-border alliance driven more by ideology than geography.

Telegram has become a digital battlefield, with over 5,800 hacktivist messages exchanged between June 13 and 20. Analysts note that cyber operations are now complementing real-world conflicts—shaping narratives, undermining trust, and disabling infrastructure.

What Undercode Say: 🧠 Deep Dive Into the Hacktivist Surge

Hacktivism’s New Frontline: Saudi Games as Symbolic Target

This breach wasn’t random—it hit a prestigious regional event symbolizing national pride. For Cyber Fattah, targeting the Saudi Games was a strategic move aimed at embarrassing the Kingdom and showcasing Iran’s cyber muscle.

Propaganda-Driven Warfare

The breach was not just about stealing data. It was an act of information warfare. By releasing sensitive records on DarkForums, Cyber Fattah aimed to incite public distrust in Saudi digital infrastructure, echoing Iran’s broader geopolitical messaging.

An Expanding Threat Landscape

The growing collaboration between groups like 313 Team and Cyber Fattah shows how hacktivist ecosystems are evolving. These alliances operate without borders, combining ideological motives with diverse technical skillsets—amplifying their reach and effectiveness.

Israel-Iran Cyber Escalation

The cyber arms race between Iran and Israel is intensifying. While Iran-backed groups breach Saudi and U.S.-linked platforms, Israeli actors retaliate through surgical strikes—crippling key Iranian digital assets, such as Nobitex. These are not just symbolic attacks; they’re economically and psychologically devastating.

Cross-Regional Collusion: The Rise of DieNet

DieNet’s emergence reveals a more hybrid threat—a group mixing ideological warfare with international cyber cooperation. The linguistic and metadata clues pointing to Slavic languages hint at a sophisticated network operating across Eurasia.

Telegram: The New War Room

With 5,800+ hacktivist messages logged over a week, platforms like Telegram are becoming coordination hubs for cyber warfare. These spaces are decentralized, fast-moving, and ideal for guerrilla-style digital tactics.

Soft Power Disruption

By attacking major sporting events, these groups aim to erode national unity and international image. Sports have always been tools of diplomacy and soft power—making them high-value targets for ideological cyber actors.

Psychological Impact Over Financial Gain

Cyber Fattah and its allies aren’t primarily in it for the money. Their goal is disruption and perception warfare. This is cyber-ideology in action—where trust is the true target, not profit.

✅ Fact Checker Results

Confirmed Breach Date: June 22, 2025, by Cyber Fattah via Telegram ✅
Verified Leak: SQL database dump includes sensitive athlete and visitor info ✅
Forum Publication: Data released on DarkForums under alias ZeroDayX ✅

🔮 Prediction: What Lies Ahead

Hacktivism will increasingly target symbolic national events and infrastructure, especially during heightened political tensions. The Saudi Games breach marks a clear evolution—from isolated cyber skirmishes to coordinated information warfare campaigns. Expect more regional alliances among cyber groups, more ideological-driven disruptions, and intensified digital conflict bleeding into global affairs. Governments must now treat cybersecurity not just as a technical challenge—but as a frontline in ideological and geopolitical conflict.

References:

Reported By: thehackernews.com
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