Title: Vertical Scope Breach: A case Study

Date: February 11, 2016

Subject: Analysing the vertical scope breach attack and its impact on Global Cybersecurity

1. How it happened:

The VerticalScope breach in 2016 occurred due to a vulnerability in the company's security
infrastructure. Specifically, attackers exploited a vulnerability in the forum software used by
VerticalScope, allowing them to gain unauthorized access to the company's systems and
extract sensitive user data.

The exact technical details of the vulnerability and the methods used by the attackers may not
be publicly disclosed or fully understood. However, it's common for cybercriminals to exploit
weaknesses such as unpatched software, misconfigured systems, or social engineering tactics
to infiltrate a target's network and steal data.

Following the breach, VerticalScope took steps to improve its cybersecurity measures,
including patching the vulnerability, enhancing network security, and implementing stronger
access controls to prevent similar incidents in the future.

2. Which Malware was used:

The specific malware used in the VerticalScope breach of 2016 hasn't been publicly disclosed
or widely reported. In many data breaches, especially those involving the compromise of user
data from web applications or databases, the focus is more on exploiting vulnerabilities in
software or systems rather than the deployment of traditional malware.

However, it's worth noting that malware could have been a component of the attack,
especially if the attackers utilized techniques such as:

1. Backdoors: Malicious code inserted into systems to allow unauthorized access or

control.
2. Keyloggers: Software designed to record keystrokes, potentially capturing usernames
and passwords.
3. Remote Access Trojans (RATs): Malware that enables remote control of infected
systems, allowing attackers to exfiltrate data or perform other malicious activities.
4. Spyware: Software designed to monitor and gather information about a user's
activities without their knowledge.
Given the nature of the breach and the type of data compromised, it's possible that the
attackers focused more on exploiting vulnerabilities in the forum software or related systems
to gain access to the user database rather than deploying traditional malware. However,
without specific details from VerticalScope or law enforcement agencies involved in the
investigation, the exact role of malware in the breach remains unclear.

3. Which port was attacked to gain access:

Common ports that are often targeted in cyber attacks include:

1. Port 80 (HTTP): Used for unencrypted web traffic.

2. Port 443 (HTTPS): Used for encrypted web traffic.
3. Port 21 (FTP): Used for file transfer protocol.
4. Port 22 (SSH): Used for secure shell protocol.
5. Port 3389 (RDP): Used for Remote Desktop Protocol.

4. How did the attacker hack into the organization:

The VerticalScope breach in 2016 occurred due to a vulnerability in the company's security
infrastructure. Specifically, attackers exploited a vulnerability in the forum software used by
VerticalScope, allowing them to gain unauthorized access to the company's systems and
extract sensitive user data.

The exact technical details of the vulnerability and the methods used by the attackers may not
be publicly disclosed or fully understood. However, it's common for cybercriminals to exploit
weaknesses such as unpatched software, misconfigured systems, or social engineering tactics
to infiltrate a target's network and steal data.

Following the breach, VerticalScope took steps to improve its cybersecurity measures,
including patching the vulnerability, enhancing network security, and implementing stronger
access controls to prevent similar incidents in the future.

5. Type of attack:

The exact type of attack that led to the VerticalScope breach in 2016 hasn't been publicly
disclosed in detail. However, based on similar breaches and common methods used by
cybercriminals, it's likely that the attack involved exploiting a vulnerability in the forum
software or related systems used by VerticalScope.
Here are some potential types of attacks that could have been involved:

1. SQL Injection: Attackers exploit vulnerabilities in web applications to execute

malicious SQL queries, allowing them to bypass authentication mechanisms and
access sensitive databases containing user data.
2. Cross-Site Scripting (XSS): Attackers inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed
by other users, potentially allowing them to steal session cookies or execute
unauthorized actions on behalf of users.
3. Brute Force Attack: Attackers attempt to guess users' passwords by systematically
trying different combinations until they find the correct one, often using automated
tools.
4. Phishing: Attackers use social engineering tactics to trick users into revealing their
login credentials or other sensitive information through fraudulent emails, messages,
or websites.
5. Exploitation of Unpatched Software: Attackers exploit known vulnerabilities in
software or systems that have not been patched or updated with the latest security
fixes.

Without specific details about the attack, it's challenging to definitively identify the type of
attack used in the VerticalScope breach. However, vulnerabilities in web applications and
related systems are common targets for cybercriminals seeking to gain unauthorized access to
sensitive data.

6. Impact:

1. Compromised User Data: The breach exposed sensitive information of

approximately 45 million users, including usernames, email addresses, IP addresses,
and hashed passwords. This data could potentially be used for identity theft, phishing
attacks, spamming, and other malicious activities.
2. Loss of Trust: Users who had their data exposed may have lost trust in
VerticalScope's ability to protect their information. Such breaches can tarnish a
company's reputation and lead to a loss of credibility among users and customers.
3. Legal and Regulatory Ramifications: VerticalScope faced legal and regulatory
scrutiny following the breach. Depending on the jurisdiction and the specific
circumstances of the incident, the company could have been subject to fines, lawsuits,
or other penalties for failing to adequately protect user data.
4. Financial Impact: Dealing with the aftermath of a data breach can be costly for a
company. VerticalScope likely incurred expenses related to investigating the breach,
notifying affected users, implementing security improvements, and potentially
compensating victims for damages.
5. Operational Disruption: The breach could have caused operational disruptions for
VerticalScope as it worked to contain the incident, investigate the breach, and
 implement remediation measures. This may have affected the company's ability to
serve its customers and maintain normal business operations.

Hence the VerticalScope breach in 2016 had significant consequences for both the company
and the millions of users affected.

7. What the attackers gained from this intervention

The attackers likely gained access to a significant amount of sensitive user data as a result of
the breach. This data could have included:

1. User Credentials: Usernames, email addresses, and hashed passwords of millions of

users registered on VerticalScope's online forums and communities.
2. Personal Information: Depending on the information users provided when
registering or engaging with the forums, the attackers could have accessed additional
personal details such as names, addresses, phone numbers, and birth dates.
3. IP Addresses: Information about the IP addresses used by forum users, which could
potentially be used to track or identify individuals or their geographic locations.
4. User Activity: Data about users' interactions with the forums, including posts, private
messages, and other community contributions.

With this information, the attackers could potentially carry out various malicious activities,
including:

1. Identity Theft: Using stolen credentials and personal information to impersonate

users or carry out fraudulent activities such as opening unauthorized accounts,
applying for credit in users' names, or accessing their financial accounts.
2. Phishing: Sending targeted phishing emails or messages to users, leveraging the
stolen data to trick them into providing additional sensitive information or clicking on
malicious links.
3. Credential Stuffing: Attempting to use the stolen usernames and passwords to gain
unauthorized access to other online accounts that users may have used the same
credentials for.
4. Spam and Fraudulent Activities: Using the compromised accounts to send spam
messages, spread malware, or engage in other fraudulent activities.

Overall, the attackers gained a valuable trove of personal and potentially exploitable
information through their intervention, posing significant risks to the affected users and
potentially causing financial, reputational, and privacy-related harm.
 8. What all patches deployed to recover from the attack:

It's customary for companies to take several remedial actions to mitigate the risks and prevent
similar incidents in the future. Some of these actions may include:

1. Security Updates and Patches: VerticalScope likely conducted a thorough review of

its systems and applications to identify and address any vulnerabilities that could have
been exploited by the attackers. This may have involved applying software patches,
updates, and fixes to close security gaps.
2. Enhanced Security Measures: The company may have implemented additional
security measures to strengthen its overall cybersecurity posture. This could include
enhancing network security, improving access controls, implementing multi-factor
authentication, and increasing monitoring and detection capabilities.
3. Password Resets: In response to the breach, VerticalScope may have enforced
password resets for all affected user accounts or implemented stronger password
policies to encourage users to choose more secure passwords.
4. User Notification and Communication: VerticalScope likely communicated with its
users to inform them about the breach, the potential impact on their accounts, and the
steps they should take to protect themselves. This could include advising users to
change their passwords, remain vigilant for suspicious activity, and report any
unauthorized access.
5. Internal Security Training and Awareness: The company may have provided
security training and awareness programs for its employees to educate them about
common cyber threats, phishing scams, and best practices for maintaining security
hygiene.
6. Third-Party Assessments: VerticalScope might have engaged third-party
cybersecurity firms to conduct comprehensive security assessments, penetration
testing, or audits to identify any lingering vulnerabilities and ensure that adequate
security controls are in place.
7. Regulatory Compliance: If applicable, VerticalScope may have taken steps to ensure
compliance with relevant data protection regulations and industry standards, such as
the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) or the Payment Card Industry Data
Security Standard (PCI DSS).