A significant data breach has recently emerged involving SL Data Services, a data broker based in the United States. This breach has resulted in the exposure of 644,869 sensitive records that were found to be publicly accessible online without adequate security measures, such as password protection or encryption. The database, with a size of 713.1 GB, was primarily comprised of background check documents, with approximately 95% of the records categorized as such. The sensitive information leaked included personally identifiable information (PII), details of property ownership, vehicle records, court documents, and background checks.
Security researcher Jeremiah Fowler was instrumental in uncovering this vulnerability. After reviewing the exposed data, Fowler reported his findings to WebsitePlanet, a platform focused on reviewing web safety and cybersecurity issues. His examination revealed that the leaked documents contained extensive personal details: full names, home addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, employment histories, family information, and even criminal records were easily accessible. Fowler confirmed that some individuals listed in the database indeed resided at the addresses provided.
The potential risks arising from this exposure are stark, particularly regarding phishing and social engineering attacks that can be staged using the information obtained. Attackers can utilize knowledge of family relations, employment status, and criminal history to impersonate individuals or extract further sensitive data. Fowler’s report emphasizes the problematic nature of the accessible data regarding privacy concerns and security threats.
Fowler speculated that the vulnerable database was designed to allow customer access through a web portal, contingent on the file path being known. He communicated that the company had failed to properly segment its data storage, allowing for broader access than intended. Upon notifying SL Data Services of the breach, Fowler encountered difficulty in reaching higher-level security personnel, instead interacting only with call center agents who dismissed the possibility of a breach, claiming the use of SSL and 128-bit encryption would suffice.
Despite these assurances, records within the database seemingly continued to accumulate over the week following Fowler’s notification, raising concerns about the length of time the data was exposed and whether malicious actors may have accessed it during that period. The implications of the exposed data pose significant risks not only to individuals listed but also to the broader integrity of data handling by businesses that store personal information.
SL Data Services, which claims to deliver comprehensive property reports across the U.S., has been criticized in the past for potentially misleading billing practices, where customers report incurring unwanted subscription fees following an initial purchase. The company reportedly operates a network of approximately 16 websites, which could complicate security oversight and data management.
This incident reflects a troubling trend in the cybersecurity landscape, as information service providers have emerged as prime targets for cyber threats. The MITRE ATT&CK framework helps illustrate the possible tactics and techniques used in this incident, including adversarial methods related to initial access and data exfiltration. Previous breaches in the sector, such as the National Public Data incident that led to 2.7 billion records being dumped onto dark web forums, underline a persistent vulnerability in the industry.
Given these events, Fowler encourages businesses to adopt stricter oversight regarding personal data management practices, urging them to consistently monitor access logs and implement robust security protocols. As breaches continue to unfold, the call for heightened security measures and regulatory scrutiny becomes increasingly critical to safeguard sensitive information.
In conclusion, this exposure serves as a stark reminder for business owners to critically assess the security and management practices of any data service providers they engage, insisting on clarity regarding data protection measures and potential vulnerabilities associated with their services.
