In 2017, Equifax, one of the largest credit reporting agencies in the United States, experienced a massive data breach that exposed the personal information of millions of individuals. This breach had far-reaching consequences and highlighted the critical importance of securing sensitive consumer data.
1. Breach Overview and Impact
a. Timeline: The Equifax data breach occurred between May and July 2017. The stolen data included names, Social Security numbers, birth dates, addresses, and, in some cases, driver’s license numbers. Approximately 147 million consumers were affected, making it one of the most significant data breaches in history.
b. TTPs (MITRE ATT&CK): The specific TTPs utilized in the breach have not been publicly disclosed.
c. CVEs and Vendor Links: The breach exploited a vulnerability in the Apache Struts web application framework (CVE-2017-5638), which Equifax failed to patch promptly. For further details, refer to the National Vulnerability Database (NVD) link: CVE-2017-5638.
2. Response and Fallout
Equifax faced significant backlash for its handling of the breach, including criticism for the delayed disclosure of the incident. The company established a dedicated website for affected consumers, offered free credit monitoring and identity theft protection, and took steps to enhance its cybersecurity measures.
3. IOC Availability
Equifax published indicators of compromise (IOCs) related to the breach. However, specific IOC details are not available in the public domain.
4. Lessons Learned
The Equifax breach underscored the importance of proactive vulnerability management, timely disclosure of breaches, and robust incident response plans. It served as a wake-up call for organizations to prioritize cybersecurity measures and implement comprehensive safeguards to protect sensitive consumer information.
Further Reading: The New York Times – Equifax Says Cyberattack May Have Affected 143 Million in the U.S.