Massive authentication vulnerability risks compromising much of the internet

Hackers are already exploiting the flaw.
By Matt Binder  on 
Hacker on laptop
A new exploit found in the enterprise software MOVEit Transfer can have serious consequences for large swaths of the web. Credit: GETTY Images

Another day, another newly discovered exploit. But this vulnerability has the potential to be a really big problem.

This week, Progress Software announced that it had discovered two new items for the common vulnerabilities and exposures (CVE) list of the enterprise product MOVEit Transfer, a popular way for businesses to securely transfer and exchange sensitive files and data. 

This most recent MOVEit vulnerability, known as CVE-2024-5806, allows hackers to bypass authentication protocols and access the potentially sensitive information being transferred.

Mashable Light Speed
Want more out-of-this world tech, space and science stories?
Sign up for Mashable's weekly Light Speed newsletter.
By signing up you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up!

While many readers may not be familiar with Progress Software or MOVEit, this vulnerability could result in serious consequences. As Ars Technica points out, a MOVEit vulnerability affected millions of people last year. Thousands of organizations, including the US Department of Energy and Shell, were compromised. The 2023 exploit's effects on the Canadian province of Ontario’s government birth registry alone left 3.4 million people compromised.

Currently, MOVEit is installed on as many as 2,700 networks globally. Bad actors, such as at least one ransomware gang, have already made attempts to exploit this most recent vulnerability, according to cybersecurity researchers with The Shadowserver Foundation and the security firm Censys.

Progress Software has since released a patch to close the exploit, which can be found here.

Topics Cybersecurity


Recommended For You

Steve Carell introduces Minions 'Megaverse' in MCU parody
Illumination Megaverse title with minions on top

We tried every Amazon Kindle to find the best for every bibliophile — just in time for Prime Day
kindle kids, kindle scribe, and kindle oasis with blue and purple background


BeReal just got acquired for a huge chunk of change
BeReal in App Store

Trending on Mashable
NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for July 11
A phone displaying the New York Times game 'Connections.'

'Wordle' today: Here's the answer hints for July 11
a phone displaying Wordle


Webb telescope may have just revealed an alien world with air
A super-Earth orbiting a red dwarf star

'The Acolyte' keeps referencing 'The Last Jedi' — here's why
The Stranger on the unknown planet.
The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. Subscribing to a newsletter indicates your consent to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!