Facebook claims to have identified the source that is flooding the social networking website with violent and sexually explicit images over the past few days.

Facebook told ZDNet the attacks were caused by a "self-XSS [cross-site scripting] vulnerability in the browser." Facebook also said the hacker group Anonymous was not responsible for the recent attacks.

The social networking website also released a statement claiming its legal team will "ensure appropriate consequences follow."

Many of the hacks are known as "click' spam. Popular spam involves Kim Kardashian or Miley Cyrus with a link to a video. The link will have an enticing caption, such as: "After watching this video, I lost all respect for (insert name)."

Upon clicking, the link is a dead end, and a hacker accesses the account and sends the same spam to all the user’s friends.

Popular hacks show manipulated pornographic images of pop star Justin Bieber and pictures of mutilated animals.

Follow us

Facebook acknowledged the hacks in a statement earlier this week.

“We are always working to improve our systems to isolate and remove material that violates our terms...we have recently experienced an increase in reports and we are investigating and addressing the issue," said a spokesperson for Facebook.

“Protecting the people who use Facebook from spam and malicious content is a top priority,” the spokesperson added.

Graham Cluley, of the security company Sophos, said this type of issue could impel Facebook users away from the social networking website.

“It's precisely this kind of problem which is likely to drive people away from the site. Facebook needs to get a handle on this problem quickly, and prevent it from happening on such a scale again," said Cluley.

Facebook terms and conditions restrict nudity. The social network currently has 800 million members.