Peugeot, the iconic French automobile brand known for its roaring lion logo, has recently come under scrutiny for a data breach that exposed its users in Peru. This data breach highlights the growing threat of cyber attacks on large, well-known brands and the importance of securing sensitive data.
According to reports, the Cybernews research team discovered an exposed environment file (.env) on February 3rd. The file contained a variety of sensitive information, including the full MySQL database Uniform Resource Identifier (URI), usernames, and passwords required to access the dataset. The file also contained the JSON Web Token’s (JWT) passphrase, the locations of the private and public keys, the link to the git repository for the site, and the Symphony application secret.
The information that was leaked in the data breach could potentially be exploited by cybercriminals to compromise both the dataset and the website itself. The leaked information could allow a criminal to impersonate a victim and access to personal accounts.
Furthermore, the leaked data additionally uncovered that Peugeot had severely insecure configurations, indicating a lack of expertise and understanding of how to develop applications securely. Cybernews researchers said that user information from a breach like this is valuable to malicious actors, as car owners or future car owners are more likely to have more savings, making them a bigger target.
While Peru may not be a significant market for Peugeot, the breach is still significant as it exposes the vulnerabilities of large, well-known brands. Stellantis, the parent company of Peugeot and a major player in the automotive industry worldwide, manufactures and sells primarily Fiat, Jeep, Peugeot, and Citroen brands in South America, with Argentina and Brazil being their largest markets in the region. However, this breach highlights how even well-known and trusted brands can have insecure configurations, leaving them vulnerable to cyber-attacks.
It is worth noting that this breach is not unique to Peugeot. Other major car manufacturers, such as BMW and Toyota, have experienced data breaches that exposed sensitive user information. As cars become more advanced and connected, they become increasingly vulnerable to cyber threats, and it is vital for car manufacturers and their partners to secure their vehicles and protect user data from cybercriminals.
