Reddit Experiencers Security Breach, Compromising Internal Documents and Source Code

On February 5, 2023, Reddit confirmed it fell victim to a security breach that allowed unauthorized actors to access internal documentation, source code, and certain business systems. This incident underscores ongoing vulnerabilities in organizational security protocols, particularly as cybercriminals refine their tactics.

The social news aggregation platform indicated the intrusion was a result of a “sophisticated and highly-targeted phishing attack” aimed specifically at its employees. According to reports, the attackers utilized seemingly credible prompts that directed employees to a fraudulent website designed to mimic Reddit’s internal intranet. This tactic aimed to capture employee credentials, as well as two-factor authentication (2FA) tokens.

As detailed by Reddit, the breach was facilitated by the successful phishing of a single employee’s credentials, which consequently provided the attackers with access to the organization’s internal systems. The compromised employee voluntarily reported the incident, highlighting a potentially proactive approach to cybersecurity awareness within the organization.

Despite the breach, Reddit assured stakeholders that there is no evidence of a compromise affecting production systems or the exposure of users’ non-public data. The company maintained that the compromised information was limited to contact details of current and former employees, along with some advertiser information, and that there are no indications that the accessed data has been publicized or disseminated on the internet.

Moreover, Reddit acknowledged the prevalent nature of similar phishing attempts, although it refrained from naming other targeted organizations. The specifics of the source code that may have been accessed remain undisclosed, raising questions about the potential impact on security frameworks.

This incident illustrates the growing sophistication of threat actors, particularly in their ability to conduct credential theft via adversary-in-the-middle (AitM) attacks. Such techniques signify a concerning trend, as attackers can circumvent traditional security measures, including 2FA, by employing sophisticated social engineering tactics.

Cybersecurity professionals should consider this event as a stark reminder of the potential tactics classified under the MITRE ATT&CK framework. Tactics such as initial access through phishing, credential dumping, and lateral movement may have been employed in this breach, highlighting the need for organizations to bolster security training and implement robust defense mechanisms.

As businesses across the globe contend with escalating cyber threats, it is imperative that sensitive information and access protocols be continuously evaluated and updated to mitigate risks. Enhanced awareness and proactive measures can play a significant role in defending against these escalating cyber challenges.