Hertz, the well-known car rental company, has inadvertently exposed over 60,000 insurance claim reports, prompting serious concerns about its data security practices. The breach was discovered when a customer received an unexpected email from Hertz regarding a damaged vehicle, which appeared legitimate but contained a suspicious link leading to a phishing site. This site, designed to collect sensitive information under the guise of an accident report submission, highlighted the vulnerabilities present in Hertz’s handling of customer data.
The root cause of the data exposure was identified as an access control vulnerability known as Indirect Object Reference. This flaw allowed unauthorized users to access other customers’ accident reports simply by altering the URL. The leaked reports contained personal information, including names, addresses, phone numbers, and ages of individuals involved, though only a small percentage included more detailed information. This incident has understandably left customers questioning the safety of their personal data and Hertz’s commitment to protecting it.
Upon discovering the breach, cybersecurity firm Adversis reported the issue to Hertz, which acted swiftly to shut down the compromised domain and restrict access to the leaked information. According to a timeline provided by Adversis, the breach was identified on September 5, 2024, and by September 13, 2024, CERT confirmed that the domain was no longer accessible. Hertz has since acknowledged the breach and has taken steps to enhance its security measures, while also reaching out to affected customers to inform them about the incident.
This data breach serves as a stark reminder of the importance of robust cybersecurity measures in protecting customer information. Customers are advised to remain vigilant for suspicious communications and to monitor their accounts for unusual activity. Some may choose to opt for companies with established bug bounty programs or stronger security protocols for future rentals. As companies continue to navigate the complexities of data protection, incidents like this highlight the potential risks associated with sharing personal information online and the need for ongoing vigilance in cybersecurity practices.
