Hungry hackers stole $3k worth of snacks from CIA vending machines over several months

The CIA has admitted it was penetrated by an insider network - of hi-tech snack thieves.

A newly declassified report reveals that hackers managed to steal more than $3,300 of chocolate bars, crisps and other snacks from CIA vending machines in 2013.

CIA vending machines work off cards which need to be topped up with funds online.

One culprit figured out that disconnecting certain cables in the vending machines would enable them to dispense unlimited amounts of food, even if a card had run out of money.

After making the sweet discovery, they then told friends who began stealing snacks for themselves.

It took months before the US intelligence agency realised the junk food was being taken without payment through the sophisticated scheme.

After suspicions were raised, officials put surveillance cameras on the machines and put an end to the scam.

The perpetrator, one of thousands of contractors in the CIA, admitted he had used his knowledge of computer networks to cadge the candy.

He and his cabal were swiftly rounded up, escorted from the building and fired by their employers.

The CIA Inspector General's report on the hungry hacker emerged following a Freedom of Information request by BuzzFeed.