The Register: Cloud brute-force attack cracks Google users’ phone numbers in minutes

Jun 10, 2025

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Source URL: https://www.theregister.com/2025/06/10/google_brute_force_phone_number/
Source: The Register
Title: Cloud brute-force attack cracks Google users’ phone numbers in minutes

Feedly Summary: Chocolate Factory fixes issue, pays only $5K
A researcher has exposed a flaw in Google’s authentication systems, opening it to a brute-force attack that left users’ mobile numbers up for grabs.…

AI Summary and Description: Yes

Summary: The text highlights a security vulnerability in Google’s authentication systems, exposed by a researcher, which could lead to brute-force attacks compromising user data, particularly mobile numbers. This incident emphasizes the need for robust authentication and ongoing vigilance in cybersecurity practices.

Detailed Description: The reported issue regarding Google’s authentication system is significant for professionals concerned with information security, particularly in relation to user authentication processes and data protection measures. The flaw allows malicious actors to potentially execute brute-force attacks, which are attempts to gain unauthorized access by systematically trying various combinations until the correct one is found.

Key implications of this incident include:

– **Vulnerability Exposure**: The flaw exposes critical user data, specifically mobile numbers, making it a target for potential exploitation by attackers.

– **Brute-Force Attack Risks**: Brute-force attacks can undermine the reliability of authentication mechanisms and pose risks to user privacy and account security.

– **Financial Impact**: The resolution of this issue was noted to involve a relatively low cost of $5,000, indicating a potential undervaluing of the extensive risk posed by such vulnerabilities in high-traffic platforms like Google.

– **Need for Enhanced Security Measures**: This incident underscores the importance of implementing advanced security protocols, such as rate limiting, CAPTCHA, and multi-factor authentication (MFA), to deter brute-force attacks.

– **Ongoing Security Research**: The role of security researchers in exposing these vulnerabilities is critical and highlights the importance of maintaining a proactive and transparent security posture within organizations.

– **Regulatory Considerations**: Companies must be aware of compliance implications related to data breaches and the protection of sensitive user information, as regulatory bodies scrutinize incidents of this nature.

This situation serves as a reminder for organizations to continuously assess and improve their security frameworks to protect against evolving cyber threats.

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