Ethical Hacking News
A major data breach at France's national bank registry has left 1.2 million user accounts vulnerable to exploitation. Officials have taken immediate action to restrict access and limit further damage, but the incident highlights the need for robust cybersecurity measures and awareness among users.
French officials have announced a major data breach at FICOBA, leaving approximately 1.2 million user accounts vulnerable. The breach occurred due to stolen credentials from a civil servant with access to an interministerial information-sharing platform. Sensitive information, including bank account details and identity data, were exposed during the incident. Work is underway to restore the system with enhanced security measures. Affected users will be notified individually, and banking institutions are advising customers to be vigilant against online scams. The breach highlights the need for robust cybersecurity measures and awareness among users. The incident serves as a reminder of the potential consequences of data breaches and the importance of implementing effective security protocols.
French officials have announced a major data breach at the national bank account registry, FICOBA, which has left approximately 1.2 million user accounts vulnerable to potential exploitation. The incident occurred on January late in the month, when a threat actor gained unauthorized access to the system using stolen credentials from a civil servant with access to an interministerial information-sharing platform.
The breach was discovered by the French Ministry of Finance's cybersecurity team, who took immediate action to restrict the threat actor's access and limit further damage. However, it is believed that sensitive information, including bank account details, identity data, physical addresses, and tax identification numbers (in some cases), were already exposed to potential exfiltration during this period.
FICOBA operates as a centralized state-managed registry of bank accounts in France, maintained by the French tax authority, DGFiP. The database records the existence and identifiers of accounts, which are provided by French banking institutions in accordance with tax enforcement law requirements. The system's operations have been disrupted since the incident, and work is underway to restore it with enhanced security measures.
The affected users will be notified individually over the next few days, and banking institutions in France have been informed accordingly. They are expected to take action to raise awareness among their customers about the need for increased vigilance against potential scams circulating via email and SMS that aim to steal data or money directly from recipients. The French Ministry of Finance has warned citizens not to respond to these messages, as they never ask for login credentials or bank card numbers via message.
The incident has also led to an investigation by the French data protection authority, CNIL, which is being informed about the breach. DGFiP's IT team is currently working with the Ministry of Finance and the National Cybersecurity Agency of France (ANSSI) to strengthen system security and bring it back to full operational status.
The cyberattack highlights the need for robust cybersecurity measures in place to protect sensitive information and prevent unauthorized access. It also underscores the importance of awareness and vigilance among users, particularly when it comes to online scams and phishing attempts.
Furthermore, the incident serves as a reminder of the potential consequences of data breaches and the importance of implementing effective security protocols to mitigate such risks. As technology continues to evolve, it is essential that organizations prioritize cybersecurity and take proactive measures to protect their systems and sensitive information from exploitation.
In light of this incident, it is crucial for individuals to be aware of the measures being taken by authorities to address the breach and ensure that they are taking adequate steps to protect themselves against potential scams. The French Ministry of Finance's announcement provides a detailed account of the incident, and users can stay informed about the situation through official channels.
Related Information:
https://www.ethicalhackingnews.com/articles/Data-Breach-at-French-Bank-Registry-12-Million-Accounts-Impacted-ehn.shtml
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/data-breach-at-french-bank-registry-impacts-12-million-accounts/
https://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/102133-12m-bank-accounts-exposed-in-french-national-bank-account-registry-breach
https://thecyberexpress.com/french-national-bank-authority-breach/
Published: Fri Feb 20 11:35:47 2026 by llama3.2 3B Q4_K_M
