Russian ties: Ex-intel official says evidence on hacked DNC servers points to nation state

close

Video

Inside FBI's DNC email hack investigation

Fox News' Catherine Herridge gives 'On the Record' the latest in what led to the WikiLeaks DNC email dump

A potential Russian connection to the politically explosive hack of Democratic National Committee files is becoming clearer, with a former senior intelligence official who ran computer security for the Defense Intelligence Agency telling Fox News the hackers left behind evidence on the servers that points to sophisticated techniques associated with the country.

The trail of evidence on the DNC servers includes malicious code used to steal emails and documents, according to Bob Gourley, co-founder and partner at strategic consulting firm Cognitio and former chief technology officer (CTO) at the DIA.

“Forensic evidence points pretty clearly to a very sophisticated nation state,” he said. “This is a well-resourced adversary. Specifically, they are using the same tools and techniques previously associated with Russia.”

Gourley said they used a recently established web domain, registered to a non-existent entity, to steal the data, another signature of Russian-backed hackers. He said nothing about the attack points to an individual hacker.

Aside from the physical evidence linking to Russia, Gourley said the timing also suggests a political motivation. Foreign hackers would want to steal data to understand the policies of a potential Democratic president, but if that were the only motivation, there would no reason to release the files on the eve of the convention.

Other sources familiar with the DNC email dump also told Fox News the communications likely were seized in a hacking operation with ties to the Russian government.

Fox News earlier reported that cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike discovered two separate Russian intelligence groups had infiltrated separate parts of the DNC's computer network, successfully seizing email communications and opposition research on Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, before being kicked off the network.

The latest comments bolster claims, seized upon by some in the Hillary Clinton camp, that the Russians were involved in the breach. The subsequent WikiLeaks document dump just days before the start of the Democratic National Convention caused a major embarrassment for the party, with a number of leaked emails showing party officials criticizing or seemingly working to undermine Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders’ primary bid against Clinton.

The controversy led to DNC Chairwoman’s Debbie Wasserman Schultz’ resignation on the eve of the convention kick-off.

Trump, meanwhile, has brushed off any suggestion that Russia was involved and trying to help his presidential campaign.

He tweeted: “The new joke in town is that Russia leaked the disastrous DNC e-mails, which should never have been written (stupid), because Putin likes me.”

Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks which released the emails, also told NBC News there is no evidence of Russian involvement.

Separately, Fox News was told the DNC was warned by government agencies about a non-specific threat to their systems before the breach, based on the targeting of the State Department and White House. But no significant action was taken.

The FBI is investigating the breach.

“A compromise of this nature is something we take very seriously, and the FBI will continue to investigate and hold accountable those who pose a threat in cyberspace,” the bureau said in a statement.

Fox News’ Matthew Dean contributed to this report.