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Thread: Hack Attempt on .Org

  1. #1
    Mr Self Important Senior Member Beskar's Avatar
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    Default Hack Attempt on .Org

    Hello all,

    It seems that someone got access to our webserver via some legacy software hosted on totalwar.org. This has now been locked down, and many features and functionality from the old sections of the Org are no longer accessible.

    The hacker attempted to hijack and control a admin account (failed), and tried to deface sections of the site. Any alterations have been reversed and secured against.

    Whilst passwords on the Org are encrypted, they may have been exposed during this time, and it is highly recommended that you change your passwords to ensure your accounts are not compromised. Similarly, if you use the same email address/username and password on other websites. Whilst this may just be a precaution as there is no way to tell, I would recommend following this advice.

    We're still investigating the extent of the breach, and some functionality on the site which people may be using is disabled to ensure this cannot occur again

    In the meantime, we recommend that everyone changes their passwords ASAP.

    Best wishes,
    Beskar
    Last edited by Beskar; 10-27-2016 at 17:12.
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  2. #2

    Default Re: Hack Attempt on .Org

    Quote Originally Posted by Beskar View Post
    This has now been locked down, and many features and functionality from the old sections of the Org are no longer accessible.
    What exactly is gone now?
    Vitiate Man.

    History repeats the old conceits
    The glib replies, the same defeats


    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 


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  3. #3
    Mr Self Important Senior Member Beskar's Avatar
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    Default Re: Hack Attempt on .Org

    Quote Originally Posted by Montmorency View Post
    What exactly is gone now?
    Some old random pieces of dusty equipment that should have been thrown out years ago, but kept around long past its usefulness. Something no one would probably ever use, except for that one random person.But it was the reason for the breach/attempt. In short, I don't know, and @therother is the person to ask.
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  4. #4
    Research Fiend Technical Administrator Tetris Champion, Summer Games Champion, Snakeman Champion, Ms Pacman Champion therother's Avatar
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    Default Re: Hack Attempt on .Org

    Mostly, I've deactivated a whole bunch of file uploaders from back circa 2002-2004. The hack attempt was via these old php scripts.

    I've also deactivated a number of unused sites like our Legend of the Green Dragon install. I could reactivate these if there's interest.

    There was an attempt to break into a dummy forum account but this was unsuccessful.
    Last edited by therother; 10-27-2016 at 19:38.
    Nullius addictus iurare in uerba magistri -- Quintus Horatius Flaccus

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  5. #5
    Requin Member Vincent Butler's Avatar
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    Default Re: Hack Attempt on .Org

    Makes you wonder what somebody could hope to gain by hacking .org, other than just to be malicious.
    Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight: Psalm 144:1

    In peace there's nothing so becomes a man
    As modest stillness and humility:
    But when the blast of war blows in our ears,
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  6. #6

    Default Re: Hack Attempt on .Org

    Quote Originally Posted by therother View Post
    The hack attempt was via these old php scripts.
    Most likely old, buggy (or just poor) PHP code.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File_i...nerability#PHP

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  7. #7
    Member Member Stazi's Avatar
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    Default Re: Hack Attempt on .Org

    Quote Originally Posted by Vincent Butler View Post
    Makes you wonder what somebody could hope to gain by hacking .org, other than just to be malicious.
    Your answer is in the first post:

    Quote Originally Posted by Beskar View Post
    Whilst passwords on the Org are encrypted, they may have been exposed during this time, and it is highly recommended that you change your passwords to ensure your accounts are not compromised. Similarly, if you use the same email address/username and password on other websites.
    "Do not fight for glory. Do not fight for love of your lord. Do not fight for hatred, honor or faith. Fight only for victory and you will succeed." - Uji sensei.

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  8. #8
    Requin Member Vincent Butler's Avatar
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    Default Re: Hack Attempt on .Org

    Well, yeah, but simply having an email address and password to a forum that contains little to no personal information is kind of worthless. Even if those passwords are the same as for other websites, how would he know which websites to use them on, unless trying them randomly on stuff like social media sites?

    If somebody does use my email address to do something, I guess that could be a problem, I could be getting all sorts of stuff from creditors and such when I have no clue what is going on. That address is associated with me, so I could get into trouble, I guess.
    Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight: Psalm 144:1

    In peace there's nothing so becomes a man
    As modest stillness and humility:
    But when the blast of war blows in our ears,
    Then imitate the action of the tiger;
    -Henry V by William Shakespeare

  9. #9
    The very model of a modern Moderator Xiahou's Avatar
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    Default Re: Hack Attempt on .Org

    So I've changed my password, but I didn't see anywhere what the password requirements/limitations are. What kinds of characters can/must be used and what's the min/max password length?
    "Don't believe everything you read online."
    -Abraham Lincoln

  10. #10
    Research Fiend Technical Administrator Tetris Champion, Summer Games Champion, Snakeman Champion, Ms Pacman Champion therother's Avatar
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    Default Re: Hack Attempt on .Org

    vBulletin does not have options to restrict password choice. So there are no board-enforced requirements or limitations.

    In general, I'd recommend passwords with 9 or more characters including upper and lower case, numbers and symbols that either don't contain dictionary words or have more than 2 unusual words with uncommon misspellings/substitutions/insertions/deletions.
    Nullius addictus iurare in uerba magistri -- Quintus Horatius Flaccus

    History is a pack of lies about events that never happened told by people who weren't there -- George Santayana

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  11. #11
    The very model of a modern Moderator Xiahou's Avatar
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    Default Re: Hack Attempt on .Org

    According to KeePass, my new password has 127 bits of entropy and I no longer even know what it is. Hopefully that's secure enough.
    Honestly, I was slightly surprised to be allowed as many characters of as many different types as I used- so kudos to vBulletin, I guess.

    Related to that, I heartily recommend KeePass to anyone who needs to store complex passwords for multiple sites (isn't that everyone?). It also has a nice plugin for TOTP, so I can use it has a backup for my Google Authenticator 2-factor authentication.
    Last edited by Xiahou; 11-10-2016 at 14:18.
    "Don't believe everything you read online."
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  12. #12
    Strategist and Storyteller Member Myth's Avatar
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    Default Re: Hack Attempt on .Org

    HAHAHAHA YOU FOOLS! I HAVE NOW GAINED ACCESS TO THIS MODERATOR ACCOUNT! WITNESS THE DESTRUCTION I SHALL WIELD VIA THE GOLDIKE POWERS GRANTED TO FORUM MODERATORS ON THIS SITE!
    The art of war, then, is governed by five constant
    factors, to be taken into account in one's deliberations,
    when seeking to determine the conditions obtaining in the field.

    These are: (1) The Moral Law; (2) Heaven; (3) Earth;
    (4) The Commander; (5) Method and discipline.
    Sun Tzu, "The Art of War"
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  13. #13
    Research Fiend Technical Administrator Tetris Champion, Summer Games Champion, Snakeman Champion, Ms Pacman Champion therother's Avatar
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    Default Re: Hack Attempt on .Org

    I used to use KeePass with Dropbox. It's a great piece of software but lacks the web and mobile integration of LastPass, which is what I now use.

    And yeah, having different, essentially uncrackable passwords for every site is by far the most secure thing to do.
    Nullius addictus iurare in uerba magistri -- Quintus Horatius Flaccus

    History is a pack of lies about events that never happened told by people who weren't there -- George Santayana

  14. #14
    Iron Fist Senior Member Husar's Avatar
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    Default Re: Hack Attempt on .Org

    KeePass has an auto-insert functionality that can even be customized by adding the relevant commands to the list of auto type commands for any given entry. By now I find that quite useful, even for simple website logins. I tried Enpass, but the browser plugin of that one requires you to also start and unlock the app/program, at which point I found KeePass to actually be quite a bit faster.

    Haven't tried LastPass, mainly because I got so used to KeePass that a monthly subscription seems unnecessary at this point.


    "Topic is tired and needs a nap." - Tosa Inu

  15. #15
    Mr Self Important Senior Member Beskar's Avatar
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    Default Re: Hack Attempt on .Org

    Quote Originally Posted by therother View Post
    And yeah, having different, essentially uncrackable passwords for every site is by far the most secure thing to do.
    So secure, you won't be able to access it yourself.

    Yeah, I now have a secret hard copy location incase something ever happened, and I need the password for my main accounts. Downside is, if someone ever found that, they could access my account. So how secure is it really?

    Honestly, I like Microsofts pin solution. The main account t having a very secure password, but where you set it up at home, you can use a pin.
    Days since the Apocalypse began
    "We are living in space-age times but there's too many of us thinking with stone-age minds" | How to spot a Humanist
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  16. #16
    Iron Fist Senior Member Husar's Avatar
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    Default Re: Hack Attempt on .Org

    I don't think having a hard copy is a bad idea unless you are so important in reality that people would break into your home and specifically look for your passwords. But in that case I'd also advise to have bodyguards, someone could kidnap you to get your master password. And then you could let a bodyguard guard the hard copy.

    I'd personally rather invest the money in a decent virus and spyware protection though.


    "Topic is tired and needs a nap." - Tosa Inu

  17. #17
    Colonel In Chief Member PROVOST's Avatar
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    Default Re: Hack Attempt on .Org

    Thankfully the babe thread was not affected.
    You can build a throne with bayonets, but you can't sit on it for long. -Boris Yeltsin


    мыслете наш он покой

  18. #18
    Assassins Guild Member The Outsider's Avatar
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    Default Re: Hack Attempt on .Org

    Quote Originally Posted by Myth View Post
    HAHAHAHA YOU FOOLS! I HAVE NOW GAINED ACCESS TO THIS MODERATOR ACCOUNT! WITNESS THE DESTRUCTION I SHALL WIELD VIA THE GOLDIKE POWERS GRANTED TO FORUM MODERATORS ON THIS SITE!
    Since you have managed to hack into org, can you please make and old orgah happy by promoting me to a seniour member so that I can finally access the fabled "special" forum?

  19. #19
    Assassins Guild Member The Outsider's Avatar
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    Default Re: Hack Attempt on .Org

    double post - still shows you how serious I am.

  20. #20
    Mr Self Important Senior Member Beskar's Avatar
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    Default Re: Hack Attempt on .Org

    There is no senior member forum.

    There is a moderator forum, where we basically tell eachother when we are afk, and sometimes randomly talk about boring site stuff.
    Technically the infraction/warning/reporting section is a 'forum', but that is the system posting messages to it, rather than active discussion areas.
    Days since the Apocalypse began
    "We are living in space-age times but there's too many of us thinking with stone-age minds" | How to spot a Humanist
    "Men of Quality do not fear Equality." | "Belief doesn't change facts. Facts, if you are reasonable, should change your beliefs."

  21. #21
    Ja mata, TosaInu Forum Administrator edyzmedieval's Avatar
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    Default Re: Hack Attempt on .Org

    Quote Originally Posted by Beskar View Post
    There is no senior member forum.

    There is a moderator forum, where we basically tell eachother when we are afk, and sometimes randomly talk about boring site stuff.
    Technically the infraction/warning/reporting section is a 'forum', but that is the system posting messages to it, rather than active discussion areas.
    Beskar, you broke the moderator forum rule. One must not speak of the moderator forums in public...

    Ja mata, TosaInu. You will forever be remembered.

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  22. #22
    Mr Self Important Senior Member Beskar's Avatar
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    Default Re: Hack Attempt on .Org

    Oh, I thought that was the secret Admin forum that I post to myself in. I got a topic in there going "Who is the best Admin?" with the vote options being "Beskar" with one vote, and the rest having zero.
    Days since the Apocalypse began
    "We are living in space-age times but there's too many of us thinking with stone-age minds" | How to spot a Humanist
    "Men of Quality do not fear Equality." | "Belief doesn't change facts. Facts, if you are reasonable, should change your beliefs."

  23. #23
    Ja mata, TosaInu Forum Administrator edyzmedieval's Avatar
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    Default Re: Hack Attempt on .Org

    You have exposed the moderator forums, Beskar. We must now remove you from position.

    *initiating process of removal*
    Ja mata, TosaInu. You will forever be remembered.

    Proud

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  24. #24
    Requin Member Vincent Butler's Avatar
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    Default Re: Hack Attempt on .Org

    Quote Originally Posted by Beskar View Post
    Oh, I thought that was the secret Admin forum that I post to myself in. I got a topic in there going "Who is the best Admin?" with the vote options being "Beskar" with one vote, and the rest having zero.
    Is there any way the rest of us can vote for you in that forum?
    Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight: Psalm 144:1

    In peace there's nothing so becomes a man
    As modest stillness and humility:
    But when the blast of war blows in our ears,
    Then imitate the action of the tiger;
    -Henry V by William Shakespeare

  25. #25
    Illuminated Moderator Pogo Panic Champion, Graveyard Champion, Missle Attack Champion, Ninja Kid Champion, Pop-Up Killer Champion, Ratman Ralph Champion GeneralHankerchief's Avatar
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    Default Re: Hack Attempt on .Org

    Quote Originally Posted by Beskar View Post
    There is no senior member forum.
    I approve of this bit of deception.
    "I'm going to die anyway, and therefore have nothing more to do except deliberately annoy Lemur." -Orb, in the chat
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    At times I read back my own posts [...]. It's not always clear at first glance.

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  26. #26
    Dragonslayer Emeritus Senior Member Sigurd's Avatar
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    Default Re: Hack Attempt on .Org

    As the first Senior Member in this thread (all though technically those in redpinkandgreen also are seniors) I can confirm that there are no special Senior Member forum on the .org where we keep the pr0n stash and secret locker room discussions.
    Status Emeritus

  27. #27
    Iron Fist Senior Member Husar's Avatar
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    Default Re: Hack Attempt on .Org

    Quote Originally Posted by Sigurd View Post
    [...] locker room discussions.
    Indeed, there is absolutely no golden Trump-forum.


    "Topic is tired and needs a nap." - Tosa Inu

  28. #28

    Default Re: Hack Attempt on .Org

    Probably a nutter who thinks anyone with an apolitical interest in war subscribes to fascism or some other extreme ideology. Whenever people find out I'm a Germanophile and have an extensive interest in the Eastern Front of WWII, I get THAT look,

  29. #29

    Default Re: Hack Attempt on .Org

    Quote Originally Posted by edyzmedieval View Post
    Beskar, you broke the moderator forum rule. One must not speak of the moderator forums in public...

    I'm pretty sure that every forum has this.
    Wooooo!!!

  30. #30
    Ja mata, TosaInu Forum Administrator edyzmedieval's Avatar
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    Default Re: Hack Attempt on .Org

    Indeed. Every forums have moderator forums, but I was just making a bit of lighthearted fun of Beskar.
    Ja mata, TosaInu. You will forever be remembered.

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    Swords Made of Letters - 1938. The war is looming in France - and Alexandre Reythier does not have much time left to protect his country. A novel set before the war.

    A Painted Shield of Honour - 1313. Templar Knights in France are in grave danger. Can they be saved?

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