On October 29, 2025, the notorious Akira ransomware group announced it had breached the systems of Apache OpenOffice, stealing a staggering 23 gigabytes of sensitive corporate data. The cybercriminals posted details on their dark web leak site, threatening to release the information unless a ransom is paid.
This alleged breach highlights the growing vulnerability of non-profit software foundations amid increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks.
About Apache OpenOffice
Apache OpenOffice, developed under the Apache Software Foundation (ASF), is a leading open-source productivity suite. It offers a free alternative to proprietary software like Microsoft Office, featuring:
- Writer for word processing
- Calc for spreadsheets
- Impress for presentations
- Draw for vector graphics
- Base for databases
- Math for formulas
Supporting over 110 languages across Windows, Linux, and macOS, OpenOffice serves millions of users worldwide, including educators, small businesses, and individuals who rely on its accessibility and community-driven development.
Details of the Alleged Data Breach
According to Akira’s dark web post, the stolen 23GB of data includes:
- Personal employee records — such as addresses, phone numbers, birth dates, driver’s licenses, Social Security numbers, and credit card details
- Financial records and internal corporate documents
- Bug reports and development issue logs
The group reportedly stated:
“We will upload 23 GB of corporate documents soon,”
signaling a deep infiltration into Apache OpenOffice’s internal operations.
As of November 1, 2025, the Apache Software Foundation has not confirmed nor denied the breach, and independent verification remains unavailable. Cybersecurity analysts caution that some of the data may originate from older or repurposed leaks, but if authentic, it could pose serious identity theft and phishing risks for staff.
Fortunately, public OpenOffice download servers appear unaffected, meaning end-user installations remain safe at this time.
Who Is the Akira Ransomware Group?
Emerging in March 2023, Akira is a ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) operation responsible for hundreds of global attacks across the U.S. and Europe. The group is infamous for its double-extortion tactics, stealing data before encrypting systems to pressure victims into paying.
Key characteristics of Akira include:
- Deploying variants targeting Windows and Linux/ESXi environments
- Sometimes hacking victim webcams for intimidation
- Communicating primarily in Russian on underground forums
- Avoiding systems with Russian keyboard layouts, suggesting geopolitical bias
To date, Akira has reportedly extorted tens of millions in ransoms, making it one of the most active ransomware threats of recent years.
Impact on the Open-Source Community
This incident underscores a troubling trend: ransomware attacks on open-source projects are on the rise. Volunteer-driven organizations often lack the robust cybersecurity infrastructure of large corporations, leaving them exposed to exploitation.
The alleged Akira breach could erode trust in collaborative software development models if proven true. Nonetheless, the open-source community continues to emphasize transparency and resilience, core principles that have sustained projects like Apache OpenOffice for decades.
What Users and Organizations Should Do
While the breach’s authenticity remains unverified, organizations using Apache OpenOffice should:
- Monitor for suspicious activity involving ASF-related communications.
- Isolate and secure backups of important data.
- Avoid unofficial downloads or mirrored versions of OpenOffice.
- Stay alert for phishing attempts targeting staff or contributors.
As cybersecurity experts await further confirmation, this event serves as a stark reminder that no digital ecosystem is immune — even those built on open collaboration.
Conclusion
The claimed Akira ransomware breach against Apache OpenOffice represents a critical test for the open-source community’s security posture. Whether the data is authentic or recycled, the situation highlights an urgent need for enhanced defense measures, even among nonprofit projects.
Until verified details emerge, the world watches closely for proof—or fallout—that could reshape trust in open development.
