In early October 2024, the Internet Archive—a non-profitorganization renowned for its Wayback Machine—experienced a significantcyberattack that compromised the personal information of approximately 31million users. The breach exposed email addresses, usernames, and bcrypt-hashedpasswords.

On October 9, 2024, visitors to the Internet Archive'swebsite encountered a malicious JavaScript pop-up stating, "Have you everfelt like the Internet Archive runs on sticks and is constantly on the verge ofsuffering a catastrophic security breach? It just happened. See 31 million ofyou on HIBP!" This message directed users to the "Have I BeenPwned" (HIBP) service, where they could verify if their data wascompromised.

Concurrently, a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attackdisrupted the Internet Archive's services, rendering the Wayback Machine andother resources inaccessible for several hours. A hacktivist group known asBlackMeta claimed responsibility for the DDoS, citing perceived affiliationsbetween the Internet Archive and the U.S. government as their motive. Inresponse, the Internet Archive's founder ... Brewster Kahle,acknowledged the breach and outlined steps taken to mitigate the damage,including disabling the compromised JavaScript library, system maintenance, andenhancing security measures. Users are strongly advised to change theirpasswords, ... they reuse credentials across multiple platforms, to safeguardagainst potential phishing attempts or unauthorized account access.

Nature of the Attack

1. Data Breach:
• Attack Vector: The attackers exploited a vulnerability in the Internet Archive's user authentication system to gain access to a database containing sensitive user information. The precise technical details of how the attackers gained access remain under investigation, though it is suspected that a server misconfiguration or an application-layer vulnerability played a key role.
• Compromised Data: The stolen data consists of around 31 million user records, including:
• Email addresses
• Usernames
• Password hashes (bcrypt)
• Bcrypt Hashes: Bcrypt is a strong password-hashing function. Despite this, the attack poses a serious threat if users have reused the same password on less secure platforms where weaker hashing algorithms (or none at all) are used. The bcrypt hashing function is slow to brute-force, but depending on the strength of the users' passwords, determined attackers could eventually crack weaker ones.
2. DDoS Attack:
   Simultaneously, a DDoS attack was launched against the Internet Archive’s services. A distributed network of compromised systems, also known as a botnet, overwhelmed the servers with illegitimate traffic. This resulted in the temporary suspension of services such as the Wayback Machine. The attack rendered the archive’s resources unavailable for several hours, exacerbating the disruption caused by the data breach.
3. Website Defacement:
   The attackers also deployed malicious JavaScript, inserting a pop-up message on the homepage of the Internet Archive, alerting visitors to the breach. The message directed users to visit “Have I Been Pwned” (HIBP), a third-party service where individuals can check if their email addresses or personal data have been compromised in previous breaches. The pop-up was part of the attacker's strategy to publicly reveal the breach before the Internet Archive could make an official statement.

Technical Analysis of the Attack

1. Possible Vulnerabilities Exploited:
   While no official confirmation has been made regarding the specific vulnerability exploited, the attack likely involved a combination of:
• Server Misconfiguration: Misconfigured permissions or outdated software might have provided an entry point for the attackers.
• Injection Flaw or Remote Code Execution (RCE): These types of vulnerabilities are common in large, complex systems. If found, they could allow attackers to gain unauthorized access to the database.
• Credential Stuffing or Brute Force Attack: The initial access may have been gained using stolen credentials or exploiting weak password policies.
2. Bcrypt Hashes:
   Bcrypt hashes are considered secure, but password strength remains critical. If users had weak or common passwords, attackers could still use brute force to crack individual password hashes over time. However, given the computational cost of cracking bcrypt, this process can be slow, especially with strong passwords.
3. DDoS Attack Execution:
   The distributed nature of the DDoS attack indicates that the attackers likely used a large botnet, possibly consisting of compromised Internet of Things (IoT) devices. The attackers would have sent vast amounts of requests to overwhelm the archive’s infrastructure, targeting both its web servers and possibly its databases.

Impact of the Breach

1. Users Affected:
• Approximately 31 million users were affected by the breach. This includes registered users of the Internet Archive’s services, particularly those using the Wayback Machine.
• The data compromised in this attack includes email addresses, usernames, and bcrypt-hashed passwords. Users who reuse their email-password combinations across multiple platforms are at heightened risk of credential stuffing attacks on other services.
2. Dark Web Market Implications:
   While there is no confirmed sale of the stolen data on dark web marketplaces as of now, it is highly likely that the data will be monetized eventually. Email addresses and hashed passwords are valuable assets on the dark web, particularly for launching:

 Data Sold on the Dark Web: Potential Risks

Although there is no confirmed sale of the compromiseddata on dark web marketplaces, the data could still appear on undergroundforums. This breach poses a variety of risks for affected users:

1. Credential Stuffing Attacks:
   If users have reused their email-password combinations across different platforms, attackers could employ credential stuffing to break into other accounts (e.g., social media, email, or financial accounts).
2. Phishing and Spam Campaigns:
   Exposed email addresses may be utilized for highly targeted phishing attacks. Users should expect an increase in phishing emails, possibly impersonating the Internet Archive or related services.
3. Account Hijacking:
   Depending on the strength of the bcrypt-hashed passwords, brute force attacks could still reveal user passwords over time, leading to unauthorized access to accounts associated with the compromised data.

Impact on the Internet Archive and Its Users

The breach of 31 million user accounts is a significantsecurity failure, especially for a widely trusted organization like theInternet Archive. The ripple effects of this breach could be felt far and wide,particularly for users who rely on the Archive for preserving and accessingsensitive historical web content.

Technical Consequences:

• Loss of User Trust:
  Users may hesitate to continue using the Internet Archive’s services, fearing further exposure of personal data.
• Operational Disruption:
  The DDoS attack disrupted services, potentially impacting millions of users who rely on the Archive for critical research and archival purposes.
• Financial Repercussions:
  Although the Internet Archive is a non-profit organization, such breaches may incur legal fees, regulatory penalties, and increased investment in security infrastructure to prevent future incidents.

Threat Intelligence Recommendations

Based on the technical analysis of the breach, the followingsteps are recommended for both organizations and end-users to mitigate similarthreats in the future:

For Organizations:

1. Security Patch Management:
   Regularly update and patch all software, services, and dependencies to prevent attackers from exploiting known vulnerabilities.
2. Monitor for Breach Indicators:
   Implement advanced intrusion detection systems (IDS) and continuous monitoring of network traffic for anomalies that may indicate early stages of an attack.
3. Database Security:
   Ensure proper encryption of all sensitive data, including implementing strong password policies and rate limiting for login attempts to prevent brute force attacks.
4. DDoS Protection:
   Deploy DDoS protection mechanisms (such as content delivery networks and rate-limiting) to mitigate future attacks and minimize service downtime.
5. User Notification and Transparency:
   Provide timely and transparent communication to affected users during an attack, and offer actionable guidance for securing accounts.

For Users:

1. Password Management:
   Immediately change passwords for the Internet Archive account and any other accounts where the same password may have been reused. Use strong, unique passwords stored in a password manager.
2. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA):
   Wherever possible, enable MFA to add an extra layer of protection even if account credentials are compromised.
3. Vigilance Against Phishing:
   Users should be cautious of unsolicited emails that request personal information or contain suspicious links, as phishing campaigns often follow large-scale breaches.
4. Monitor Financial Accounts:
   Affected users should monitor their online accounts, particularly financial services, for any unauthorized activity and report anomalies immediately.

Conclusion

The cyberattack on the Internet Archive highlights theevolving threat landscape for even the most respected organizations. In today’senvironment, maintaining robust cybersecurity practices is imperative. Thisincident serves as a stark reminder for both organizations and users to adoptstrong security hygiene, continuously monitor for threats, and remain vigilantagainst the ever-present risks in the digital world.