Vault 7
The massive 2017 WikiLeaks release of CIA documents revealing the agency's cyber warfare arsenal, including exploits for smartphones, computers, and smart devices.
INVESTIGATION OVERVIEW
Vault 7 was a series of document releases by WikiLeaks beginning in March 2017 that exposed the CIA's cyber warfare capabilities. The documents detailed the agency's ability to compromise popular consumer devices including iPhones, Android phones, Windows and Mac computers, and even Samsung Smart TVs turned into listening devices. The revelations showed the CIA had built a massive arsenal of zero-day exploits and malware. Notably, the documents also revealed the CIA had a 'weaponized' library of exploits that could bypass encryption on messaging apps like WhatsApp, Signal, and Telegram. The source of the leak was never publicly identified.
KEY CLAIMS
The CIA developed over 1,000 malware and exploit programs
The agency could compromise iPhones, Android, Windows, and Mac devices at scale
Samsung Smart TVs were turned into covert room listening devices
The CIA had a 'Weeping Angel' program for smart TV surveillance
The agency stockpiled zero-day exploits rather than reporting them to vendors
SUPPORTING EVIDENCE
WikiLeaks released thousands of classified CIA documents in the Vault 7 series
The documents' authenticity was confirmed by former CIA officials
CIA cyber weapon descriptions matched known operational capabilities
CIA Director Mike Pompeo acknowledged the leak's seriousness
The documents included specific operational procedures and tool instructions
COUNTER ARGUMENTS
The documents did not reveal the actual exploit code, only descriptions
Cyber warfare capabilities are standard for intelligence agencies worldwide
Some tools may have been for defensive research purposes
WikiLeaks has a history of releasing documents without full context
The CIA's offensive capabilities are not significantly different from other nations'
TIMELINE
Period when many CIA tools were allegedly developed
WikiLeaks begins releasing Vault 7 documents
CIA Director Pompeo calls WikiLeaks a 'hostile intelligence service'
Subsequent Vault 7 releases continue through the year
KEY FIGURES
Julian Assange
WikiLeaks founder who published Vault 7
Mike Pompeo
CIA Director during the leak
ORGANIZATIONS
CIA
Intelligence
WikiLeaks
Media Organization
Samsung
Technology Company
SOURCES
RELATED ENTITIES
PEOPLE
Julian Assange
Mike Pompeo
ORGANIZATIONS
CIA
WikiLeaks
Samsung
TECHNOLOGIES
Cyber
EVENTS
Period when many CIA tools were allegedly developed
2011-2016
WikiLeaks begins releasing Vault 7 documents
2017-03-07
CIA Director Pompeo calls WikiLeaks a 'hostile intelligence service'
2017-03
Subsequent Vault 7 releases continue through the year
2017-04