A prominent data leaker has claimed to have successfully infiltrated Cisco, a leading networking technology firm, and exfiltrated sensitive company data. This discovery has prompted Cisco to initiate an investigation into the incident.
Earlier this week, a cybercriminal operating under the alias IntelBroker took to BreachForums, a well-known hacking marketplace, to announce the sale of the stolen Cisco data. The forum post dated June 10, 2024, indicates that IntelBroker, alongside collaborators EnergyWeaponUser and zjj, is offering the compromised information for purchase.
The data released in the breach reportedly encompasses a wide array of sensitive materials, including projects from Github and Gitlab, source code, hardcoded credentials, confidential documents, Jira tickets, and API tokens, among various other proprietary assets. The compromised material is extensive, involving customer-specific resources (SRCs), AWS private buckets, tech-related documentation, and both private and public keys.
IntelBroker’s Credibility
Alongside the sale announcement, IntelBroker provided a small sample of the stolen data as proof of his claims, yet did not disclose the methods employed to facilitate the breach. Cisco, when approached for a statement, acknowledged the incident, revealing that they are actively investigating the allegations. A spokesperson for the company remarked, “Cisco is aware of reports that an actor is alleging to have gained access to certain Cisco-related files.” They affirmed that the investigation into this serious breach is currently underway.
IntelBroker has built a reputation as a credible source in the underground hacking community, with a history of significant data breaches. Previously, he has posted stolen data from major corporations such as T-Mobile, Home Depot, and General Electric. It is worth noting that in collaboration with EnergyWeaponUser, IntelBroker also claimed responsibility for a breach involving AMD earlier this August.
Nonetheless, it is important to recognize that not all of IntelBroker’s claims have held weight. A notable example includes the alleged breach of Europol’s web portal in May of this year. Although publicized as a substantial incident, Europol later downplayed the severity, asserting that no critical operational data had been accessed, even though the breach itself was confirmed.
As with any significant data breach, the ramifications leave affected parties vulnerable to threats such as identity theft and phishing operations. Business leaders and professionals alike are urged to remain vigilant and proactive in safeguarding their information, considering robust identity theft protection solutions to mitigate potential risks.
The recent breach of Cisco aligns with various tactics identified within the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly in the areas of initial access and persistence. The potential methods of attack may have included exploiting unpatched vulnerabilities or utilizing stolen credentials to gain unauthorized access to the organization’s systems. As the investigation unfolds, further insights may reveal the specific techniques utilized in this incident.
For continuous updates on cybersecurity incidents, including breaches and vulnerabilities, refer to platforms like BreachSpot, where business owners can stay informed about the latest threats affecting their industries.
