Ethical Hacking News
ShinyHunters claims it drove off with 1.7M CarGurus records, sparking a major data breach that raises questions about cybersecurity measures and social engineering tactics.
CarGurus suffered a significant data breach at the hands of ShinyHunters, resulting in the theft of 1.7 million corporate records. The breach is believed to have occurred on February 13 and used voice phishing tactics to gain access to CarGurus systems. CarGurus is taking steps to address the issue, including adding "safeguards and training" to boost its digital defenses and offering free credit monitoring to affected individuals. The breach highlights the ongoing threat of cybercrime in the business world and underscores the importance of robust cybersecurity measures. ShinyHunters' tactics demonstrate a significant vulnerability in the current security landscape, emphasizing the need for better awareness and education among employees regarding cybersecurity best practices.
CarGurus, an online vehicle marketplace, has suffered a significant data breach at the hands of notorious cybercrime crew ShinyHunters. According to ShinyHunters, the breach resulted in the theft of 1.7 million corporate records, which were then posted on their leak site for all to see.
The announcement from ShinyHunters comes as part of a string of 15 breaches claimed by the gang since the beginning of the year, including penetrating two investment advisory firms, Mercer Advisors and Beacon Pointe Advisors. In this particular breach, ShinyHunters claimed that the compromised files included personally identifiable information and "other internal corporate data."
The breach is believed to have occurred on February 13, and it is thought that ShinyHunters used voice phishing to obtain single-sign-on codes from users of Okta, Microsoft, and Google services. This tactic allowed them to gain access to the CarGurus systems and steal sensitive information.
CarGurus has not yet responded to The Register's inquiries about the breach, but the company is taking steps to address the issue. According to a spokesperson, an employee was socially engineered, and that allowed an actor to download a limited number of files through their account. The company is adding "safeguards and training" to boost its digital defenses and is offering free credit monitoring to all affected individuals.
The breach is a significant one, as it highlights the ongoing threat of cybercrime in the business world. ShinyHunters' latest heist serves as a reminder that even large and reputable companies are not immune to data breaches. It also underscores the importance of robust cybersecurity measures and the need for businesses to take proactive steps to protect themselves from such attacks.
Furthermore, this breach has implications beyond the individual companies affected. The stolen records could potentially be used for malicious purposes, such as identity theft or business sabotage. As a result, it is essential that CarGurus and other organizations take immediate action to contain the damage and prevent further unauthorized access to their systems.
ShinyHunters' latest breach also raises questions about the effectiveness of cybersecurity measures in place. The fact that ShinyHunters was able to gain access to CarGurus using voice phishing highlights a significant vulnerability in the current security landscape. It is clear that more needs to be done to protect against such tactics and ensure that companies are better equipped to defend themselves against sophisticated cyber threats.
In recent months, we have seen a surge in high-profile data breaches, with numerous companies falling victim to cybercrime crews like ShinyHunters. The rise of these groups has made it increasingly difficult for businesses to stay ahead of the threat. As a result, it is essential that organizations prioritize cybersecurity and invest in robust measures to protect their sensitive information.
The incident also highlights the need for better awareness and education among employees regarding cybersecurity best practices. Social engineering tactics like voice phishing are often used by cybercriminals to gain access to systems, and it is essential that companies provide training and resources to help employees recognize and resist such attacks.
In conclusion, ShinyHunters' latest breach of CarGurus serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing threat of cybercrime in the business world. The incident highlights the need for robust cybersecurity measures, better awareness and education among employees, and proactive steps to protect sensitive information.
Related Information:
https://www.ethicalhackingnews.com/articles/ShinyHunters-Latest-Heist-17-Million-CarGurus-Records-Stolen-in-Massive-Cybercrime-Breach-ehn.shtml
https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2026/02/18/shinyhunters_cargurus_breach/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ShinyHunters
https://www.independent.co.uk/tech/google-data-breach-shinyhunters-cyber-attack-b2821097.html
Published: Thu Feb 19 13:19:54 2026 by llama3.2 3B Q4_K_M