Online guitar education platform TrueFire has reportedly experienced a significant data breach involving a “Magecart” style attack. This incident raises concerns over the potential exposure of sensitive customer information, including personal and payment card details.
TrueFire, a leading online resource for guitar enthusiasts with over one million registered users, grants access to an extensive library of over 900 courses and 40,000 video lessons through online payments. While the company has not publicly acknowledged this breach, recent customer reports have surfaced on platforms like The Hacker News, detailing notifications received from the company.
The situation came to light when a breach notification was also found on the Montana Department of Justice website, revealing a more formal acknowledgment of the incident. The notification indicated that an unauthorized attacker gained access to TrueFire’s web server, reportedly capturing payment information from users over a duration of more than five months, specifically between August 3, 2019, and January 14, 2020.
As stated in the breach notification, TrueFire does not retain credit card information on its servers. However, the compromise may have taken place during real-time entry of payment details on their website. The message conveyed to customers suggested the potential unauthorized access to personal data such as names, addresses, payment card account numbers, expiration dates, and CVV codes.
Despite lacking clarity on exactly how the attackers achieved this access, the breach bears characteristics typical of a Magecart attack. This method often involves injecting malicious JavaScript code into e-commerce sites, enabling the theft of users’ payment information during the checkout process. Magecart attackers typically target vulnerabilities in web applications, leading to unauthorized data capture.
TrueFire became aware of the security breach on January 10 and claims to have remediated the vulnerability that allowed the unauthorized access. Individuals who made online payments on the TrueFire platform between the specified dates are urged to contact their financial institutions to block the impacted payment cards and request replacements.
In light of this incident, all TrueFire users should monitor their bank and payment statements for any abnormal activities. Additionally, implementing robust password hygiene across all online accounts—especially those utilizing the same login credentials as TrueFire—is highly recommended.
Given the tactics employed in the attack, it is plausible that methods associated with the MITRE ATT&CK framework were utilized. Initial access methods, such as exploiting web application vulnerabilities, might have facilitated this breach. Furthermore, privileges may have been escalated during the process, leading to the data compromise observed in this incident.
As the cybersecurity landscape continues to evolve, staying vigilant and proactive is essential for all businesses, particularly those operating in digitally engaging sectors like online education. Continuous education about emerging threats and understanding remediation strategies can significantly enhance a company’s security posture.
