4chan Hit with Major Hack, Exposing Source Code and Moderator Details

On April 15, 2025, 4chan fell victim to a significant cyberattack attributed to members of the Soyjak Party community. The breach compromised the site’s source code, exposed personal details of moderators and janitors, leaked database logs, and temporarily restored the long-defunct /qa/ board, reigniting debates about the platform’s cybersecurity practices.

The attack, which caused intermittent downtime across 4chan’s boards, reportedly exploited outdated PHP code and deprecated MySQL functions in a core script called “yotsuba.php,” responsible for managing post submissions and moderation. Cybersecurity observers noted that the site’s reliance on obsolete software left it vulnerable to exploitation. “4chan was likely hacked because it was using an outdated version of PHP, full of known vulnerabilities,” said X user

@_yushe

, whose analysis of the leaked code gained traction online (Know Your Meme, 2025).  

Hackers claiming affiliation with Soyjak Party, a community known for meme-driven provocations, posted leaked materials on their platform, including what appeared to be moderator emails and chat logs. Unverified claims circulated that some janitor accounts were linked to .edu and even .gov email addresses, though these remain unconfirmed (Know Your Meme, 2025). The breach also exposed internal administrative tools, with screenshots of 4chan’s backend briefly surfacing online before being removed.  

In a symbolic jab at 4chan’s administration, the attackers restored the /qa/ board, a meta-discussion space shuttered years ago after becoming a hub for contentious debates and spam. The board’s brief revival was celebrated by some users as a nod to 4chan’s chaotic roots, with one anonymous Soyjak Party poster declaring it a “gift to the oldfags” (Soyjak Wiki, 2025).  

The hack sparked widespread discussion on platforms like X, where users debated its implications. “Soyjak Party hacked 4chan, doxxed the mods, published the source code, and shut the site down—it’s wild,” wrote user

@jmacgarth

 (X post, April 14, 2025). Others criticized 4chan’s leadership, particularly site owner Hiroyuki Nishimura, for neglecting security updates. “Good job, Hiro,” quipped user

@LumpyTheCook

 sarcastically, echoing sentiments of frustration among the site’s userbase (Know Your Meme, 2025).  

This incident adds to 4chan’s history of security woes. In 2014, a hacker accessed moderation panels to expose a user’s posting habits, exploiting similar software vulnerabilities (The Hacker News, 2014). Experts warn that platforms like 4chan, which prioritize anonymity and minimal oversight, face unique challenges in maintaining robust defenses. “Outdated systems are low-hanging fruit for attackers,” said cybersecurity analyst Jane Kessler in a statement to The Express Tribune (2025).  

As of this morning, 4chan has restored most of its functionality, but no official statement from Nishimura or the moderation team has been released. The breach has prompted renewed calls for better cybersecurity hygiene across anonymous platforms, with some users speculating that the leaked data could fuel further attacks. For now, 4chan’s community remains on edge, bracing for potential aftershocks from a hack that laid bare the site’s digital underbelly.  

Sources: 

• Know Your Meme. (2025). April 2025 4chan Hack. Retrieved from knowyourmeme.com  

• Soyjak Wiki. (2025). /qa/ (4chan). Retrieved from wiki.soyjak.st  

• The Hacker News. (2014). 4chan Hacked. Retrieved from thehackernews.com  

• The Express Tribune. (2025). Thousands Report 4chan Down. Retrieved from tribune.com.pk  

• Anonymous posts on X, April 14-15, 2025

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