Apple's server plans may be at risk of exposure due to a cyberattack that targeted Foxconn in May 2026. The leaked documents may be just the beginning of the fallout from the attack on Foxconn, as only Apple's server plans have been disclosed so far. More damaging documents may emerge later. On May 12, AppleInsider reported that ransomware group Nitrogen had hacked Foxconn facilities in North America.
See also: Foxconn confirms ransomware attack on factories
Initially, it appeared that the attackers did not obtain any Apple documentation based on the available sample files. However, additional sample files have now been provided to AppleInsider, including more than 30 confidential Apple documents, all of which appear to be authentic.
Nitrogen was able to obtain drawings that describe Apple’s server component designs from March 2026 and late 2025. Also stolen were specifications and manuals for Apple server racks from 2020 to 2023. The server designs were created using Siemens NX and are consistent with the form and style used by Apple. Dimensions for various supports, components, and spacers are described in the documents, as is the chassis design of an Apple internal server.
Among the files obtained was an overview of Apple's Project Matterhorn , which describes server configurations using Intel's Whitley and Eagle Stream platforms . The document covers the specifications of Apple's servers, as well as their board layout and architecture. According to the document, Apple's high-performance servers used two 32-core Intel Ice Lake processors, also known as 3rd generation Intel Xeon Scalable processors , at 2.2GHz.
It featured 24 modules of 128GB DDR4 RAM, Nvidia T4 GPUs, and multiple 8TB NVMe drives, among other components.
Nitrogen also obtained confidential Intel documents that describe debugging and JTAG procedures for Xeon-centric platforms. These files contain security layers, board designs, and other aspects of Intel’s hardware. While these Intel-based server configurations have likely been replaced with more powerful Apple Silicon variants, the collection of documents provides insight into the processing power Apple requires through 2023.
See also: Foxconn is building a huge factory in Kentucky
Regarding the drivers and specification documents related to Apple servers, Nitrogen provided four files:
1. Apple AC Rack Specification
2. Apple's Bulk and Single Packaging Requirements
3. Apple Matterhorn RoT Mezzanine Information
4. Apple Server and Storage — Mechanical, Thermal, Industrial, and Packaging Specifications
The Apple documents appear to be authentic. Three of them were written by Kelly Smith, Apple's Head of Data Center Engineering and Hardware Development, while the fourth document was written by Clifford Gaw, Apple's Head of Hardware Systems. These files describe the physical properties of the server racks Apple uses internally, including dimensions, approved colors, and maximum weight capacity.
They also include instructions for maintaining airflow, aligning legs, installing side panels, conducting safety and stability tests, and more.
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While Nitrogen appears to have obtained actual Apple documents, they may not be useful unless someone owns an Apple server or an entire rack of them. Absent from the sample files is any information related to the chips that power the Apple Silicon-based servers or details about the servers' purpose. Server chassis and rack designs alone are unlikely to be a major concern for Apple.
See also: Foxconn to invest $510 million in southern Taiwan
However, if the ransomware group gains additional details about Apple Silicon servers, including motherboard layouts, configurations, and the total number of servers produced, Apple could face serious repercussions.
