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A threat actor identified as 1011 claimed to have breached NordVPN’s development infrastructure, leaking over ten database source codes, Salesforce API keys, and Jira tokens on a dark web forum. The attacker alleged that access was gained via a misconfigured development server in Panama, and released sample SQL dump files as proof, exposing the structure of sensitive backend database tables. Security researchers noted that the incident highlights the risks associated with poorly secured development environments, as the leaked credentials could potentially enable further attacks against NordVPN’s business tools and ecosystem.
NordVPN responded by denying that any sensitive internal systems were compromised, stating that the data originated from a temporary test environment used during a vendor evaluation for automated testing. According to NordVPN, the environment was isolated, contained only dummy data, and was never connected to production systems or real customer information. The company emphasized that no actual customer or business data was exposed, and that the threat actor’s claims were based on non-sensitive, non-production artifacts. The incident underscores the importance of securing all environments, including those used for testing and vendor trials, to prevent reputational and operational risks from similar claims.
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NordVPN responded that the allegedly stolen material came from an isolated test environment tied to a third-party vendor and did not involve production infrastructure, customer data, or live credentials. The company said it contacted the vendor, found no evidence of compromise in core systems, and told users no action was required.
SOCRadar said its Dark Web Team observed new underground forum posts this week in which threat actors claimed to possess internal NordVPN development data. The post framed the listing as a potential security risk to the company and its users.
A threat actor using the handle 1011 claimed on a dark web forum to have accessed a NordVPN Salesforce development environment by brute-forcing a misconfigured server. The actor posted sample database dumps and alleged source code, Salesforce API keys, and Jira tokens as proof.
NordVPN said the exposed files came from an isolated third-party automated testing platform used during a proof-of-concept evaluation about six months before the reports. The company said this temporary sandbox was never connected to production systems and contained only dummy data.
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A hacking group known as Scattered LAPSUS$ Hunters publicly released data stolen from the Salesforce environments of multiple companies, including Qantas and Vietnam Airlines. The group had previously threatened to leak data unless Salesforce or the affected companies paid a ransom, but the deadline passed without payment, prompting the attackers to publish data from six of the 39 companies they claimed to have compromised. The initial leaks included data from Qantas, Albertsons, GAP, Vietnam Airlines, Fujifilm, and Engie Resources. Qantas received significant media attention due to a court injunction it obtained in an attempt to prevent the use or dissemination of the stolen data, but the injunction proved ineffective as the data was still widely distributed. The attackers used multiple platforms to share the stolen information, including an onion site, a clear net forum, and a new clear net leak site, making the data accessible to a broad audience. For Vietnam Airlines, the breach resulted in the exposure of 7.5 million unique customer email addresses, along with names, phone numbers, dates of birth, and loyalty program membership numbers. The breach of Vietnam Airlines' Salesforce environment reportedly occurred in June 2025, but the data was not publicly released until October. The group’s leak strategy included charging for access to the data on some platforms, while later making it freely available on others. Despite initial claims of a massive leak affecting 39 companies, only six organizations' data was actually released, leading to speculation about the group’s motives and capabilities. The attackers communicated with followers via Telegram, providing updates and alternative download links when their primary leak site experienced technical issues. The incident highlighted the limitations of legal measures such as injunctions in preventing the spread of stolen data once it is in the hands of threat actors. Media and security experts, including Troy Hunt, provided commentary on the situation, emphasizing the inevitability of the data’s release and the challenges faced by affected organizations. The breach underscores the risks associated with third-party cloud platforms like Salesforce and the importance of robust security controls and incident response plans. Companies affected by the breach were advised to notify impacted customers, recommend password changes, and implement additional security measures such as two-factor authentication. The event also demonstrated the evolving tactics of cybercriminal groups in monetizing and publicizing stolen data, as well as the ongoing threat posed by supply chain and third-party breaches.
Jun 29, 2026
ShinyHunters has claimed responsibility for breaching Cisco and stealing more than **3 million Salesforce records** along with internal corporate data, **GitHub repositories**, and contents from **AWS S3 buckets**, then posted a **"FINAL WARNING"** on its leak site threatening to publish the data after April 3. Reports said the alleged haul may include information tied to Cisco customers, employees, and personnel from U.S. and foreign government agencies, while screenshots shared by the group purportedly showed access to Cisco-linked AWS infrastructure and multiple connected cloud accounts. The intrusion was linked in reporting to three alleged access paths involving **Salesforce CRM**, **Salesforce Aura/Experience Cloud**, and AWS environments, and to activity tracked as **`UNC6040`** and **`UNC6395`**. Threat intelligence cited in the coverage said the attackers have used **vishing** to trick employees into approving malicious Salesforce OAuth applications, then abused stolen tokens to bypass MFA and move deeper into cloud environments; recommended defenses included auditing connected OAuth apps, revoking suspicious tokens, tightening API access controls, and monitoring for unauthorized Salesforce Data Loader activity. Cisco had not publicly addressed the March 2026 extortion claim at the time of reporting.
Jun 29, 2026
A series of extortion attacks have targeted organizations using Salesforce, resulting in the leakage of millions of records. Attackers have exploited vulnerabilities or misconfigurations in Salesforce environments to gain unauthorized access to sensitive customer and business data. Once inside, the threat actors exfiltrated large volumes of information, which they then used as leverage in extortion attempts against the affected companies. The attackers threatened to publicly release or sell the stolen data unless their demands were met, putting significant pressure on the victim organizations. Security experts have highlighted that these incidents demonstrate the growing risk of supply chain and third-party platform attacks, as Salesforce is widely used across industries for customer relationship management. The attacks have raised concerns about the adequacy of security controls and monitoring within cloud-based SaaS platforms, especially when organizations rely heavily on default configurations. In response, security professionals have urged companies to review their Salesforce security settings, implement robust access controls, and monitor for unusual activity. The incidents have also prompted calls for better incident response planning, as organizations must be prepared to act quickly in the event of a breach involving critical business platforms. The extortion group responsible for these attacks has demonstrated technical sophistication, leveraging both technical exploits and social engineering tactics to maximize their impact. The exposure of millions of records has potential regulatory and reputational consequences for the affected organizations, particularly in jurisdictions with strict data protection laws. Security podcasts and news outlets have discussed the technical details of the attacks, the methods used by the extortionists, and the broader implications for cloud security. Experts have also noted that these attacks may inspire copycat incidents targeting other SaaS providers. The events underscore the importance of regular security assessments and employee training to defend against evolving threats. Organizations are advised to stay informed about emerging attack techniques and to collaborate with their SaaS vendors to ensure comprehensive security coverage. The Salesforce extortion attacks serve as a stark reminder of the risks associated with cloud service dependencies and the need for proactive cybersecurity measures.
Jun 29, 2026