Open Subtitles 2021 Data Breach
ObscureIQ Breach Intelligence
Low SeverityWebsite / service breach
OpenSubtitles Subtitle Community Breach (2021): 6.8 Million User Accounts Including Passwords Exposed via Ransom Demand
Online subtitle database and community.
Verified by ObscureIQ Intelligence
17/100Breach Risk Index
8Data Value
10Market Recency
1631dSince Breach
Breach Intelligence Summary
Entity: Open Subtitles · Actor: Unknown · Sources: 2 references
Attack: Web Application Exploit
Profile: Platform · Subtitle distribution and sharing · Content repository platform · Global
Timeline: Breach (2021-08-01) · Indexed (Jan 19, 2022) · Year (2021)
Exposure: 6.8M records · 5 fields: Email Address, Geographic Location, IP Address, Password, Username
Status: Confirmed
Executive Summary
In August 2021, OpenSubtitles suffered a data breach affecting 6,783,158 users. The attacker cracked a low-security SuperAdmin password, reached an unsecured script, and used SQL injection to extract the database. Exposed data included email addresses, usernames, IP addresses, geolocation, and passwords stored as unsalted MD5 hashes. A ransom was paid but the data leaked anyway.
ObscureIQ assessment: Exposure enables account takeover, phishing, and profiling based on media interests or upload activity. Community records may also support identity linkage or harassment.
Breach Impact
Unsalted MD5 hashes are readily cracked, exposing reused credentials to stuffing attacks, while IP and geolocation data supports profiling and targeted phishing.
About Open Subtitles
OpenSubtitles is a large community-run repository of movie and TV subtitles in many languages, widely used by media players and enthusiasts.
Why They Hold Your Data
Subtitle-sharing platforms collect user accounts, emails, upload history, content preferences, IP-related records, and community participation tied to media access and content distribution.
Recent Developments
The site operator stated a ransom was paid to keep the breach quiet and have the data deleted, but the dataset surfaced publicly regardless.
Data Points Exposed
5 verified field types
Email Address
Geographic Location
IP Address
Password Critical
Username
Field names are shown in full for clarity and search visibility. Canonical machine keys are emitted only in this page’s structured data.
Exploitation & Downstream Threats
Threat Activity:Moderate
Primary downstream threats:
- Credential stuffing against reused passwords across other platforms
- Targeted phishing campaigns using exposed email addresses
- Doxxing risk from physical address exposure
Threat vectors:
- Phishing, credential stuffing & account takeover
- Pattern-of-life analysis & physical surveillance
- Geolocation & account flagging
- Credential stuffing & account takeover
- Cross-platform tracking & credential stuffing
Recommended Actions
If you believe your information may be included:
Change Reused Passwords
Update this account and anywhere you reused the password; use a manager.
Enable MFA Everywhere
Turn on multi-factor authentication on email first, then financial accounts.
Report & Recover
If you spot misuse, start an official recovery plan and report fraud.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Open Subtitles breach?▾
In August 2021, OpenSubtitles suffered a data breach affecting 6,783,158 users. The attacker cracked a low-security SuperAdmin password, reached an unsecured script, and used SQL injection to extract the database. Exposed data included email addresses, usernames, IP addresses, geolocation, and…
What data was exposed?▾
Verified fields include Email Address, Geographic Location, IP Address, Password, Username.
What should I do if I was affected?▾
Change reused passwords, enable MFA, and (if identity or financial data is involved) freeze your credit and monitor your accounts.
Sources & References
Every claim on this page is traceable. This breach draws on:
Breach Index
ObscureIQ Intelligence
ObscureIQ proprietary analysis
Protect Yourself
Check If You're Affected
Enter your email to check whether your data appears in this breach. We’ll send a 6-digit code to confirm it’s your address.
Get Free Breach Alerts
Be the first to know when new breaches are disclosed. Free forever — confirm your email with a 6-digit code.
High-Risk? Get an Exposure Audit
Executives, public figures, and high-visibility operators can receive tailored exposure intelligence and hardening guidance.
Request Consultation