Ethical Hacking News
Eight hundred thousand data points from Volkswagen Group Electric Vehicles were exposed online in a breach attributed to a poorly secured web page belonging to VW subsidiary Cariad, highlighting the need for robust cloud security measures and secure software development practices.
Volkswagen Group Electric Vehicles (EVs) data points were exposed online due to a poorly secured web page belonging to VW subsidiary Cariad. The breach raised concerns about lax cloud security measures and potential consequences for individuals and organizations. The exposed data included vehicle telemetry, driver contact details, and geolocation data. The incident highlights the importance of robust cloud security measures and secure software development practices. The data breach poses a significant risk to individuals and organizations involved in the EV industry.
The revelation that 800,000 data points from Volkswagen Group Electric Vehicles (EVs) were exposed online has sent shockwaves through the cybersecurity community. The breach, attributed to a poorly secured web page belonging to VW subsidiary Cariad, has raised concerns about the laxity of cloud security measures and the potential consequences for individuals and organizations.
According to reports, the data dump included information on vehicle telemetry, such as battery levels, inspection status, and geolocation data. Furthermore, the exposed data was linked to the names and contact details of drivers, owners, or fleet managers. The Chaos Computer Club, a German hacking group, obtained access to the data through a whistleblower and shared it with Der Spiegel and other media outlets.
The breach highlights the importance of robust cloud security measures, particularly in industries where sensitive data is handled. Cariad's decision to expose internal application data through poorly secured web subpages provided a window for malicious actors to exploit. The fact that the data was stored on an AWS cloud storage server adds fuel to the fire, as it underscores the need for secure access controls and encryption.
The exposed data points pose a significant risk to individuals and organizations involved in the EV industry. For instance, precise geolocation data, which tracked EVs to within ten centimeters, could be used to steal detailed information about journeys made by vehicles. This raises concerns about potential misuses of this data, including identity theft or targeted advertising.
In response to the breach, Cariad has confirmed that it addressed the issue promptly and notified customers. However, the incident serves as a wake-up call for organizations to reassess their cloud security posture and implement robust measures to protect sensitive data.
The Volkswagen Group's exposure of 800,000 EVs data points also sheds light on the importance of secure software development practices and continuous vulnerability testing. Cariad's failure to adequately secure its web page has far-reaching implications for the company's reputation and customer trust.
In a related development, US authorities have charged Do Kwon, the former CEO of Terraform Labs, with alleged crypto crimes, including securities fraud and wire fraud. The case highlights the growing scrutiny of cryptocurrency exchanges and their security practices.
Meanwhile, insurance giant MetLife has reported a ransomware attack on its subsidiary Fondo Genesis, which operates separately from MetLife's enterprise systems. However, the company stated that the incident did not involve its core enterprise systems, suggesting a targeted attack.
The Department of Justice (DoJ) has finalized a rule banning data export to "countries of concern," including China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, and Venezuela. The move aims to protect sensitive data from being used by hostile actors.
Finally, security researcher Paulos Yibelo has discovered a new form of clickjacking called DoubleClickjacking, which can be defeated with a double-click. This attack exploits timing and event orders to trick users into unwittingly granting permission for malicious code to run.
In conclusion, the Volkswagen data breach serves as a stark reminder of the importance of robust cloud security measures and the need for organizations to prioritize secure software development practices. As the cybersecurity landscape continues to evolve, it is essential that individuals and organizations remain vigilant and take proactive steps to protect sensitive data.
Related Information:
https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2025/01/06/volkswagen_ev_data_exposed/
Published: Tue Jan 7 02:01:44 2025 by llama3.2 3B Q4_K_M
