News and Updates on Information Technology

United States – Fermilab

Exploit: Credential Compromise

Fermilab: Research Laboratory

cybersecurity news represented by agauge showing severe risk

Risk to Business: 1.523 = Severe

The Fermilab physics laboratory has taken action to lock down its systems after security researchers found weaknesses exposing documents, proprietary applications, personal information, project details and credentials. Fermilab, which is part of the US Department of Energy, is a world-famous particle accelerator and physics laboratory in Batavia, Illinois. One database the researchers discovered allowed unauthenticated access to 5,795 documents and 53,685 file entries. One entry point led into Fermilab’s IT ticketing system, which displayed 4,500 trouble tickets. Also found was an FTP server that required no password and allowed anyone to log in anonymously. Other impacted systems exposed credentials, experiment data and other proprietary information that were stored with no security.

Individual Impact: No sensitive personal or financial information was confirmed as compromised in this incident, but the investigation is ongoing.

Customers Impacted: Unknown

How it Could Affect Your Customers’ Business: Proprietary data needs to be stored securely. Not only does it give your competition an edge if they can see what you’re doing, but it also gives cybercriminals an edge when they’re crafting a cyberattack against your company.

Source: https://www.govinfosecurity.com/us-physics-laboratory-exposed-documents-credentials-a-16536