In April 2024, Cisco Systems experienced a data breach affecting various networks. A group, labeled "UAT4356," was involved in the incident. Additionally, in October 2023, numerous devices using Cisco software were compromised due to an unpatched vulnerability, mainly affecting telecommunications companies in the U.S.

How many accounts were compromised?

The breaches collectively compromised data related to approximately 40,000 Cisco devices.

What data was leaked?

The data exposed in the breaches involved vulnerabilities in Cisco's Adaptive Security Appliances and IOS XE software, which granted attackers full control of compromised devices and allowed for possible subsequent unauthorized activity.

How was Cisco hacked?

Hackers exploited vulnerabilities in Cisco's Adaptive Security Appliances and IOS XE software to infiltrate government networks and compromise tens of thousands of devices. The attackers, identified as "UAT4356," targeted previously unknown vulnerabilities, installing backdoor implants that granted them full control of the affected devices. Cisco has since patched the known vulnerabilities and urged customers to update their software. However, the status of any unpatched vulnerabilities remains unclear.

Cisco's solution

In response to the data breaches, Cisco took several measures to enhance security and prevent future incidents. They patched the vulnerabilities in their Adaptive Security Appliances and urged customers to update their software immediately. While working non-stop to provide a fix for the unpatched IOS XE vulnerability, Cisco collaborated with independent researchers and cybersecurity firms to analyze the scale of the compromised devices and gain insights on the potential impact on organizations. The specifics regarding the removal of malware and backdoors, enhanced security protocols, and direct communication with affected customers remain unclear.

How do I know if I was affected?

Cisco has not explicitly mentioned reaching out to affected users. If you are a Cisco customer and are concerned about the potential impact of these breaches on your data, you can visit Have I Been Pwned to check if your credentials have been compromised.

What should affected users do?

In general, affected users should:

• Change Your Passwords: Immediately update your passwords for any accounts that may have been compromised. Make sure the new passwords are strong and unique, not previously used on any other platform.

• Reset Passwords for Other Accounts: If you've used the same or similar passwords for other online accounts, reset those as well. This is crucial as attackers often try using stolen passwords on multiple sites.

• Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Activate 2FA on any affected accounts. Consider enabling this additional security feature on all other important online accounts to significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access.

For more specific help and instructions related to Cisco's data breach, please contact Cisco's support directly.

Where can I go to learn more?

If you want to find more information on the Cisco data breach, check out the following news articles:

• Cisco says hackers subverted its security devices to spy on governments | Reuters

• Unidentified attackers breach tens of thousands of Cisco devices | CyberScoop

• Number of Cisco Devices Hacked via Unpatched Vulnerability Increases to 40,000 - SecurityWeek