Demystifying with Silicon- The Internet Archive Breach!!!

Organization/Agency Breached
In October 2024, the Internet Archive, a non-profit dedicated to preserving digital content, faced a significant cyberattack. The breach exploited a vulnerability in a JavaScript library that was used to provide alerts/notifications on webpage, exposing sensitive data of over 31 million users, including usernames, email addresses, and bcrypt-hashed passwords. In addition to the data exposure, the attackers defaced the website and launched a Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attack, causing disruptions. This breach underscored the need for stronger cybersecurity.

Background of the Breach
The attack on the Internet Archive, home of the Wayback Machine i.e a digital archive of the internet that allows users to access and view archived versions of web pages from different points in time, compromised a 6.4GB SQL file containing sensitive user data. The most recent record in the file was from September 28, 2024, suggesting the timing of the breach. The hackers took responsibility for the attack by displaying a taunting message, exploiting a vulnerability in a JavaScript library. They also launched a DDoS attack, which temporarily took the site offline. The BlackMeta hacktivist group later claimed responsibility for the DDoS attack, but there was no direct link to the data breach. Cybersecurity expert Troy Hunt confirmed the breach by notifying affected users.

Impact of the Breach
The breach compromised over 31 million user records, including sensitive data such as email addresses and bcrypt-hashed passwords. While bcrypt encryption offers some protection, weak passwords may still be vulnerable. The attack also led to widespread service disruption, with a defaced website and a DDoS attack causing significant downtime. The breach extended to the organization’s Zendesk support system, compounding the damage. Internet Archive founder Brewster Kahle confirmed the breach and outlined their response, including disabling the compromised JavaScript library and enhancing security measures.

Learning from the Breach
The breach serves as a wake-up call for organizations about the importance of cybersecurity. No entity, regardless of size or mission, is immune to cyber threats. To reduce risks, organizations must:

1. Stay informed about cybersecurity developments and promptly implement them.
2. Address vulnerabilities as soon as they are discovered.
3. Invest in building and maintaining strong security systems to protect sensitive data.

Steps to Remediate
Despite efforts to secure systems, attackers later breached the Zendesk system, highlighting the need for a comprehensive incident response. Here are suggested immediate and long-term steps for remediation:

Immediate Steps (Incident Response):

1. Isolate Affected Systems: Disconnect compromised systems to prevent further damage.
2. Conduct Investigation: Analyze the attack to understand its origins, exploited vulnerabilities, and affected systems.
3. Engage Cybersecurity Experts: Work with incident response teams to guide the remediation process.
4. Notify Stakeholders: Inform affected users and comply with breach notification laws.
5. Patch Vulnerabilities: Fix the exploited vulnerabilities and update all systems.
6. Restore Services: Ensure systems are secure before restoring services.

Preventive and Long-Term Steps:

1. Enhance Security Infrastructure: Implement advanced security measures like firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention systems, and multi-factor authentication.
2. Regular Security Assessments: Conduct regular vulnerability assessments and penetration tests.
3. Improve Access Control: Follow the principle of least privilege to limit employee access to sensitive data.
4. Provide Security Training: Educate employees on cybersecurity threats and conduct regular security awareness programs.
5. Develop an Incident Response Plan: Establish and regularly test an incident response plan (IRP).
6. Adopt Backup and Recovery Best Practices: Maintain secure backups and regularly test their integrity.
7. Engage in Threat Intelligence Sharing: Collaborate with peers and authorities to stay updated on threats.
8. Invest in Cyber Insurance: Secure a cyber insurance policy to help cover the financial impact of future breaches.

Conclusion
The Internet Archive breach underscores the critical importance of robust cybersecurity practices. Organizations must act proactively to safeguard data and maintain public trust. By following the above steps, organizations can better protect themselves and ensure long-term resilience.

References:

• BleepingComputer. (2024). Internet Archive hacked: Data breach impacts 31 million users. Available at: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/internet-archive-hacked-data-breach-impacts-31-million-users/ (Accessed: 18 December 2024).
• Kahle, B. [@brewster_kahle]. (2024). [Tweet]. Available at: https://x.com/brewster_kahle/status/1844183111514603812 (Accessed: 18 December 2024).
• TryHackMe. (2024). Month in Cyber: October 2024. Available at: https://tryhackme.com/r/resources/blog/month-in-cyber-october-2024 (Accessed: 18 December 2024).
• NPR. (2024). Internet Archive hack leaks data, including Wayback Machine details. Available at: https://www.npr.org/2024/10/20/nx-s1-5159000/internet-archive-hack-leak-wayback-machine (Accessed: 18 December 2024).

 Compiled By Silicon Cybersecurity Experts (Shubham Tyagi, Gurleen Kohli, Prajjwal Pandey)