A security breach exposed two-factor authentication (2FA) codes/password reset links for millions of users on platforms like Facebook, Google, and TikTok.
Key Points:
- YX International, an SMS routing company, left an internal database exposed online without a password.
- The database contained one-time 2FA codes and password reset links for various tech giants.
- YX International secured the database and claims to have “sealed the vulnerability.”
- The company wouldn’t confirm how long the database was exposed or if anyone else accessed it.
- Representatives from Meta, Google, and TikTok haven’t commented yet.
Concerns:
- This leak highlights the vulnerabilities of SMS-based 2FA compared to app-based methods.
- The lack of information regarding the leak’s duration and potential access by others raises concerns.
Gemini Recommendations:
- Consider switching to app-based 2FA for increased security.
- Be cautious of suspicious communications and avoid clicking unknown links.
- Stay informed about potential security breaches affecting your online accounts.
Yes but that third party’s DB was accessible on the web. With SMS from mid-2023 in it.
Even if Google wanted to use their services, they still could’ve insisted on setting up the database, having their engineers remote access to it.
They just signed the contract, did bare minimum, and washed their hands off it instead of taking responsibility of their data.
That’s what I meant by outsourcing security.
Edit: The server should’ve been purging the old data after 14 or 30 days.