SonicWall confirmed a severe breach where hackers accessed **firewall configuration backup files** for **all customers** using its cloud backup service (MySonicWall portal). Initially downplayed as affecting only 5% of users, an internal investigation (assisted by Mandiant) revealed a **full compromise** of encrypted backups—including firewall rules, VPN configurations, and access controls—via brute-force attacks. While SonicWall claims the exfiltrated data is encrypted, experts warn it could be decrypted or leveraged for targeted exploits, phishing, or network mapping. The breach forces **thousands of enterprises** to reset credentials, regenerate encryption keys, and conduct forensic audits, disrupting operations. The incident exacerbates SonicWall’s reputation after repeated vulnerabilities since 2021 (e.g., zero-days in Secure Mobile Access) and raises compliance concerns under **GDPR/NIST**. Though no immediate exploitation is reported, the stolen data poses long-term risks, including supply-chain attacks akin to SolarWinds. Customers are advised to update firmware, monitor anomalies, and adopt zero-trust architectures to mitigate fallout.
Source: https://www.webpronews.com/sonicwall-breach-exposes-all-customers-encrypted-firewall-data/
TPRM report: https://www.rankiteo.com/company/sonicwall
"id": "son5492754101225",
"linkid": "sonicwall",
"type": "Breach",
"date": "6/2021",
"severity": "100",
"impact": "5",
"explanation": "Attack threatening the organization's existence"{'affected_entities': [{'customers_affected': '100% of MySonicWall Cloud '
'Backup Service Users',
'industry': 'Technology/Network Security',
'location': 'Global (HQ: San Jose, California, USA)',
'name': 'SonicWall',
'size': 'Thousands of Enterprise Customers',
'type': 'Cybersecurity Firm'}],
'attack_vector': ['Brute Force Attack',
'Exploitation of Cloud Backup Infrastructure Weaknesses'],
'customer_advisories': ['Reset all credentials associated with MySonicWall '
'portal.',
'Regenerate encryption keys for firewall backups.',
'Update firmware to the latest secure versions.',
'Monitor networks for anomalous activity.',
'Conduct forensic audits of firewall configurations.',
'Review and harden VPN and access control settings.'],
'data_breach': {'data_encryption': ['Claimed by SonicWall',
'Experts Warn of Potential Decryption '
'Risks'],
'data_exfiltration': True,
'file_types_exposed': ['Configuration Backups',
'Encrypted Credential Files'],
'number_of_records_exposed': 'All Customer Backups '
'(Previously Estimated 5%, '
'Revised to 100%)',
'personally_identifiable_information': ['Indirect (via '
'Network Mapping '
'Potential)'],
'sensitivity_of_data': ['High (Network Infrastructure '
'Details)',
'Medium (Encrypted but Potentially '
'Decryptable)'],
'type_of_data_compromised': ['Firewall Configuration Backups',
'Encrypted Credentials',
'Network Topology Data',
'VPN Settings',
'Access Control Rules']},
'date_detected': '2023-09-15',
'date_publicly_disclosed': '2023-09-15',
'description': 'Cybersecurity firm SonicWall confirmed that hackers accessed '
'firewall configuration backup files for every customer using '
'its cloud backup service (MySonicWall portal). The breach, '
'initially downplayed as limited, was later revealed to affect '
'all users after an internal investigation assisted by '
'Mandiant. Attackers brute-forced their way into the system, '
'exfiltrating encrypted credentials, network settings, '
'firewall rules, VPN configurations, and access controls. '
'While SonicWall claims the data is encrypted, experts warn it '
'could be decrypted or leveraged for targeted exploits. '
'Customers were urged to reset credentials, regenerate '
'encryption keys, update firmware, and monitor for anomalies. '
'The incident highlights risks in cloud-based backup services '
'and supply-chain vulnerabilities, with potential compliance '
'implications under GDPR and NIST.',
'impact': {'brand_reputation_impact': ['Heightened Scrutiny',
'Loss of Trust',
'Comparisons to SolarWinds Breach'],
'data_compromised': ['Firewall Configuration Backups',
'Encrypted Credentials',
'Network Settings',
'VPN Configurations',
'Access Controls'],
'identity_theft_risk': ['Low (Data Encrypted but Potentially '
'Decryptable)'],
'legal_liabilities': ['Potential Regulatory Probes',
'Possible Lawsuits',
'Compliance Risks (GDPR, NIST)'],
'operational_impact': ['Forensic Audits Required for All Customers',
'Disruption of Operations',
'Urgent Credential Resets'],
'systems_affected': ['MySonicWall Portal', 'Cloud Backup Service']},
'initial_access_broker': {'entry_point': ['MySonicWall Portal',
'Cloud Backup Service'],
'high_value_targets': ['Firewall Configurations',
'VPN Settings',
'Network Topology Data']},
'investigation_status': 'Concluded (Internal Investigation with Mandiant '
'Assistance)',
'lessons_learned': ['Cloud backup services can become high-value targets if '
'not properly secured.',
'Initial breach assessments may underestimate scope; '
'thorough investigations are critical.',
'Multi-factor authentication and rate-limiting are '
'essential for preventing brute-force attacks.',
'Vendor transparency is crucial for maintaining customer '
'trust during incidents.',
'Supply-chain risks require diversified security stacks '
'and zero-trust architectures.'],
'motivation': ['Data Exfiltration',
'Potential Future Exploits',
'Network Mapping'],
'post_incident_analysis': {'corrective_actions': ['Collaboration with '
'Mandiant for forensic '
'analysis.',
'Public disclosure revision '
'to reflect full scope.',
'Recommendations for '
'customer remediation '
'(credential resets, key '
'regeneration).',
'Emphasis on diversifying '
'security stacks and '
'zero-trust adoption.'],
'root_causes': ['Inadequate brute-force protection '
'(lack of rate-limiting/MFA).',
'Underestimation of breach scope '
'during initial assessment.',
'Centralized cloud storage '
'creating a single point of '
'failure.',
'Persistent vulnerabilities in '
'SonicWall products (historical '
'context since 2021).']},
'recommendations': ['Implement MFA and rate-limiting for all cloud services.',
'Conduct third-party audits of cloud backup '
'infrastructures.',
'Adopt zero-trust architectures to mitigate single-vendor '
'risks.',
'Enhance anomaly detection and monitoring for brute-force '
'attempts.',
'Regenerate encryption keys and update firmware '
'post-breach.',
'Diversify security vendors to reduce dependency on '
'single providers.',
'Review compliance with GDPR, NIST, and other relevant '
'standards.'],
'references': [{'source': 'Dark Reading',
'url': 'https://www.darkreading.com'},
{'source': 'The Register',
'url': 'https://www.theregister.com'},
{'source': 'CSO Online', 'url': 'https://www.csoonline.com'},
{'source': 'The Hacker News',
'url': 'https://thehackernews.com'},
{'source': 'BleepingComputer',
'url': 'https://www.bleepingcomputer.com'},
{'source': 'Arctic Wolf', 'url': 'https://arcticwolf.com'}],
'regulatory_compliance': {'legal_actions': ['Possible Lawsuits from Affected '
'Customers',
'Potential Regulatory Probes'],
'regulations_violated': ['Potential GDPR '
'Non-Compliance',
'Potential NIST '
'Violations']},
'response': {'communication_strategy': ['Public Advisory (October 8)',
'Collaboration with Cybersecurity '
'Media (Dark Reading, The Register, '
'etc.)'],
'containment_measures': ['Disclosure of Full Scope',
'Urgent Customer Advisories'],
'enhanced_monitoring': ['Recommended for All Customers'],
'incident_response_plan_activated': True,
'recovery_measures': ['Forensic Audits Recommended',
'Configuration Reviews'],
'remediation_measures': ['Credential Resets',
'Encryption Key Regeneration',
'Firmware Updates',
'Anomaly Monitoring'],
'third_party_assistance': ['Mandiant']},
'stakeholder_advisories': ['Urgent Customer Notifications',
'Public Disclosure (October 8 Update)'],
'title': 'SonicWall Cloud Backup Service Breach Exposes All Customer Firewall '
'Configurations',
'type': ['Data Breach', 'Unauthorized Access', 'Cloud Security Incident'],
'vulnerability_exploited': ['Weak Authentication Mechanisms',
'Lack of Rate-Limiting',
'Insufficient Anomaly Detection']}