On , a major data breach was reported involving the French government's personal information database. The leak exposed sensitive details of over 10 million individuals.
The breach is believed to have occurred due to a combination of human error and inadequate security measures. An investigation by cybersecurity experts revealed that the attack exploited vulnerabilities in the agency's aging IT infrastructure, including outdated software and unpatched vulnerabilities.
OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) played a crucial role in uncovering the breach. Researchers employed various OSINT techniques to gather information about the incident, including social media monitoring, web scraping, and network traffic analysis.
"We were able to track down clues on social media platforms and online forums, which led us to the compromised database," said a cybersecurity expert who wished to remain anonymous. "From there, we analyzed network traffic patterns and identified the vulnerabilities that were exploited."
The breached database contained sensitive information such as passport numbers, addresses, and identification numbers. The incident highlights the need for improved data protection measures in government agencies.
According to reports, the agency's IT infrastructure used outdated software, including Windows XP and Internet Explorer 11. Additionally, many servers were running with default passwords or easily guessable credentials.
The breach also highlighted the importance of regular security audits and vulnerability assessments. "It's a wake-up call for government agencies to prioritize their cybersecurity posture," said another expert.