North Korean hackers attack Hollywood studio, “expose” Sylvester Stallone, others

Hackers targeting a Hollywood studio have obtained and leaked personal details of Sylvester Stallone and over 46,000 other people. It is believed that the hackers originated from North Korea.

The stolen details included social security numbers, home addresses, email addresses and salary details. The documents, as seen by Wall Street Journal, were posted online, carrying confidential information of current and past employees and freelances associated with Sony Pictures Entertainment.

Apart from Stallone, Judd Apatow, the film-maker behind comedy blockbusters like Bridesmaids, This Is 40 and Anchorman was also affected as well as Bridesmaids actress, Rebel Wilson.

The Telegraph UK reports that:

North Korea is suspected of carrying out the attack after it denounced Sony's upcoming film “The Interview”, a comedy in which Seth Rogen and James Franco play journalists recruited by the CIA to assassinate Kim Jong-un.

Prior to the hacking the hermit state had issued several statements calling the movie an "act of war" and threatening dire retribution. 

Sony is set to release the movie at Christmas. The hackers also leaked Rogen and Franco's salaries for the movie.

A North Korean official has however publicly denied involvement in the attacks. US security officials believe that North Korea is not the only suspect in the attack which has seen the leakage of four movies online before their cinema release dates.

According to Cyber security experts, the codes used in the attacks were similar to those used last year when North Korea targeted banks in South Korea.