Described as the biggest data breach ever, a big security mistake has apparently leaked the personal info of millions of people around the world.
CloudSEK, an Indian cybersecurity company, brought attention to the breach, exposing extensive sensitive data, including names, mobile numbers, addresses, and unique 12-digit Aadhaar card numbers.
Surprisingly, two groups involved in cybercrime, including CYBO CREW-affiliated CyboDevil and UNIT8200, are selling the data for $3,000.
CYBOCREW is a relatively new threat group that was initially identified in July 2023.
This group has been focusing on organizations in various sectors like automobile, jewellery, insurance, and apparel, carrying out significant breaches.
Among its most active affiliates are CyboDevil and UNIT8200.
Reportedly in the recent attack 750 million Indians have been hit, constituting around 85% of the country's 1.4 billion population, this disclosure raises serious concerns regarding the security and privacy of personal information, marking a critical incident in the cybersecurity domain.
The breach's severity is magnified by the revelation of Aadhaar card numbers, a crucial identification document in India.
The leaked data encompasses details frequently used for identity verification and authentication, leaving affected individuals susceptible to various forms of exploitation, including identity theft and fraud.
The repercussions of this breach extend to mobile network subscribers in multiple countries, amplifying concerns about privacy and data security.
According to CloudSEK researchers, the compromised database contains sensitive security information and has been compressed from 1.8TB to 600GB. In their analysis of the extensive personally identifiable information within the database, CloudSEK identified the global impact on major telecom providers.
Despite the widespread implications, users in India face heightened risks due to the exposure of their unique Aadhaar identification numbers.
This increased vulnerability raises concerns about potential identity theft, financial fraud, and a greater susceptibility to cybercrime for those affected.
The situation emphasizes the urgent need to address and mitigate risks associated with such breaches to protect personal information and thwart malicious activities.
The database is up for sale on Telegram and Breach Forums, which are well-known places for hackers and cybercrime activities.
Interestingly, this forum recently had another person threatening to release a database from Hathway, which had information from 4 million users.
According to CloudSEK, the person selling the data denies being part of the data breach and says they got it through law enforcement channels and undisclosed asset work.
The source of the data still needs to be clarified.
This Cyber News was published on www.cysecurity.news. Publication date: Thu, 01 Feb 2024 17:43:04 +0000