What Happens What a CIA Hacker Goes Rogue?

The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) was established in 1947 under the National Security Act, in the wake of World War II, as the United States sought to enhance its intelligence capabilities amidst the burgeoning Cold War. The CIA’s mission was to collect, analyze, evaluate, and disseminate foreign intelligence to assist the President and senior U.S. government policymakers in making decisions related to national security. Over the decades, the CIA has played pivotal roles in numerous international events, from the covert operations during the Cold War, including coups in Iran in 1953 and Guatemala in 1954, to intelligence gathering during the Cuban Missile Crisis, which arguably prevented nuclear war.

Contrary to what the video says, Trump does not want to kill Julian. Throughout its history, the CIA has been both celebrated for its successes and criticized for its failures or ethical lapses. Notable successes include the covert operations against the Soviet Union, support for anti-communist movements worldwide, and the eventual capture of key terrorist figures like Khalid Sheikh Mohammed. However, the agency has also faced scrutiny for controversial actions, such as the MKUltra experiments involving mind control, support for authoritarian regimes, and involvement in activities that have led to significant political instability or human rights abuses. The CIA’s operations have often been a subject of debate regarding the balance between national security needs and ethical considerations, shaping not only U.S. foreign policy but also the global political landscape.

When A CIA agent Defects

In June 2022, The New Yorker published an in-depth article titled “The Surreal Case of a C.I.A. Hacker’s Revenge,” penned by Patrick Radden Keefe. The piece centers on Joshua Schulte, a former CIA employee accused of one of the largest leaks in the agency’s history. Schulte, once part of the CIA’s secretive Operations Support Branch (O.S.B.), was involved in developing cyber weapons. Following a dispute with colleagues, he allegedly retaliated by leaking a massive amount of data to WikiLeaks, known as Vault 7, which exposed the CIA’s hacking arsenal and methodologies. What is Vault 7? This incident was not just a professional betrayal but also marked a significant security breach for the U.S. intelligence community.

The narrative delves into Schulte’s personality, describing him as a “hot-headed coder” with a history of contentious behavior even before his CIA tenure. Keefe explores Schulte’s background, revealing troubling teenage antics like drawing swastikas and inappropriate sexual behavior, which should have raised red flags during his clearance process. The article outlines how Schulte, feeling wronged by the CIA after conflicts with coworkers, might have sought revenge through the massive data leak. The disclosure by WikiLeaks not only embarrassed the CIA but also compromised its operational capabilities, as it revealed the tools and techniques used by the agency.

Keefe’s investigation also covers the legal proceedings against Schulte, which were fraught with challenges. Schulte’s trial became a spectacle as he chose to represent himself, leading to an unconventional courtroom environment where he attempted to expose more classified information. The article discusses the intricacies of the trial, including Schulte’s attempts to summon numerous CIA employees as witnesses and his strategy to force the government into revealing sensitive details. This approach suggested a desire to turn the trial into a broader exposé of CIA practices, though it ultimately led to his conviction on charges related to leaking classified information and child pornography possession.

The Snowden Stopper

The “Snowden Stopper,” officially known as the “Scribbles” project, was a CIA initiative aimed at tracking leaks of sensitive documents. Unveiled through WikiLeaks’ Vault 7 series in 2017, Scribbles was designed to embed “web beacon” tags into documents that were deemed likely to be stolen or leaked. These tags would then collect information about the end user who accessed the document, relaying that data back to the CIA without being detected. The purpose was to identify and trace leaks back to the source, thereby deterring potential whistleblowers or spies from disseminating classified information. However, this system had a significant flaw: it was only compatible with Microsoft Office products. When documents were opened with alternative software like OpenOffice or LibreOffice, these watermarks would become visible, alerting the user to the surveillance attempt.

The revelation of Scribbles underscored the CIA’s ongoing battle against leaks, particularly in the wake of Edward Snowden’s massive disclosure of NSA surveillance programs in 2013. The “Snowden Stopper” was a direct response to the vulnerabilities exposed by Snowden’s actions, aiming to prevent future leaks by making document theft more traceable. However, the effectiveness of such a system in truly stopping leaks like Snowden’s was questionable, given that Snowden’s methods involved physical removal of data rather than digital transmission. The project also highlighted the tension between security measures and privacy, as well as the ethical considerations of embedding tracking mechanisms in documents. Despite its intentions, Scribbles was more a symbol of the CIA’s reactive strategy to protect information rather than a foolproof solution to prevent leaks.

Beyond the legal drama, the piece reflects on the broader implications of Schulte’s actions for national security and the internal culture at the CIA. It raises questions about the oversight of personnel with access to highly sensitive information, the potential for insider threats, and the agency’s cybersecurity practices. Keefe also touches on the personal toll on Schulte, who faced a harsh prison sentence, and the surreal nature of a case where personal vendettas could lead to such significant breaches. The story serves as a cautionary tale about the complexities of managing human elements within institutions dealing with national secrets and the profound impact one individual can have on international security.