Cyber Incident Victim: LiveAuctioneers
Date:
Nov 2020
Location:
United States of America
Summary
A threat actor known as ShinyHunters leaked multiple databases, including one associated with LiveAuctioneers, alongside other entities such as Animal Jam, Eatigo, Peatix, and Redmart. The incident stemmed from a forum dispute where a buyer alleged fraudulent activity after paying for exclusive data access, leading to retaliatory public dumping of databases on a Russian-language forum before their swift deletion. The compromised data was distributed freely but briefly, with the involved user’s account deactivated shortly thereafter. It remains unclear whether all affected organizations were initially aware of the breaches.
| CIA Posture | Motives | Tactics, Techniques & Procedures |
|---|---|---|
| Available to members | 2 motives | 2 techniques |
| Threat Actors | Type | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 2 actors | Available to members | Available to members |
Description
A significant cyber incident occurred, resulting in the theft and public dumping of several databases belonging to various companies. The incident was reportedly carried out by a threat actor known as ShinyHunters, who was involved in a dispute over an exclusive data sale. The stolen data was made publicly available on a Russian-language forum, compromising the confidentiality of the affected entities.

The incident began with a dispute between ShinyHunters and a data broker, who was claiming to have been scammed by the threat actor. The data broker had paid tens of thousands of dollars for exclusive access to certain databases, but ShinyHunters allegedly distributed the data to others, violating the terms of the sale. In response, the data broker took to a popular Russian-language forum to publicly release the stolen data, including databases from companies such as Animal Jam, eatigo, Peatix, Redmart, Pluto.tv, Storybird, and Homechef.
The public release of the stolen data had significant consequences for the affected companies. The confidentiality of their data was compromised, potentially exposing sensitive information to unauthorized parties. The incident also highlighted the risks associated with the buying and selling of stolen data on underground forums. The fact that ShinyHunters was able to distribute the data to others, despite the data broker's claims of an exclusive sale, suggests that the threat actor had access to a significant network of buyers and sellers.
The incident also raises questions about the role of the forum where the stolen data was released. The forum, which is popular among Russian-speaking hackers and cybercrime enthusiasts, appears to have been used as a platform for the public release of stolen data. This highlights the need for law enforcement and cybersecurity professionals to monitor such forums and take action to disrupt the trade in stolen data.
The companies affected by the incident are likely to face significant challenges in responding to the breach. They will need to notify affected customers and take steps to mitigate the damage caused by the release of their data. This may involve offering credit monitoring services or other forms of support to affected individuals. The companies will also need to conduct a thorough investigation into the breach, to determine how the data was stolen and to identify measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of cybersecurity and the need for companies to take steps to protect their data. This includes implementing robust security measures, such as encryption and access controls, to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information. Companies should also be aware of the risks associated with the buying and selling of data on underground forums and take steps to prevent their data from being compromised.
The involvement of ShinyHunters in the incident highlights the threat posed by sophisticated threat actors. ShinyHunters appears to have been able to operate with impunity, stealing and selling data on underground forums without being detected. This underscores the need for law enforcement and cybersecurity professionals to work together to disrupt the activities of such threat actors and to bring them to justice.
The incident also raises questions about the motivations of the threat actors involved. ShinyHunters appears to have been motivated by financial gain, selling the stolen data to the highest bidder. However, the data broker's decision to publicly release the data on a Russian-language forum suggests that they may have been motivated by a desire for revenge or notoriety.
The use of underground forums to buy and sell stolen data is a significant concern for cybersecurity professionals. These forums provide a platform for threat actors to operate anonymously, buying and selling stolen data without being detected. The fact that ShinyHunters was able to distribute the data to others, despite the data broker's claims of an exclusive sale, suggests that the threat actor had access to a significant network of buyers and sellers.
The incident highlights the need for companies to take steps to protect their data from theft and unauthorized disclosure. This includes implementing robust security measures, such as encryption and access controls, to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information. Companies should also be aware of the risks associated with the buying and selling of data on underground forums and take steps to prevent their data from being compromised.
The public release of the stolen data has significant consequences for the affected companies and individuals. The confidentiality of their data has been compromised, potentially exposing sensitive information to unauthorized parties. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of cybersecurity and the need for companies to take steps to protect their data.
The involvement of ShinyHunters in the incident highlights the threat posed by sophisticated threat actors. ShinyHunters appears to have been able to operate with impunity, stealing and selling data on underground forums without being detected. This underscores the need for law enforcement and cybersecurity professionals to work together to disrupt the activities of such threat actors and to bring them to justice.
The incident is a significant concern for cybersecurity professionals, highlighting the need for companies to take steps to protect their data from theft and unauthorized disclosure. The use of underground forums to buy and sell stolen data is a significant concern, providing a platform for threat actors to operate anonymously. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of cybersecurity and the need for companies
