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Second Life Database Intrusion via Web
Jim writes "A major security exploit has been discovered by Linden Labs, the company that operates Second Life. It turn out that on September 6th, an intruder gained access to the Second Life database. They have since closed the exploit. Today, September 8th, they finally announced this to residents and have cancelled all passwords. They have asked everyone to use the reset password form to make a password. This has resulted in mass confusion amongst residents on the forums who cannot remember their security question. Many more details below.
Calls to Linden Labs offices in California are directed to a message telling residents to change their password via secondlife.com/password.
According to the Second Life Blog:
"On September 6 we discovered evidence that an intruder was able to access the Second Life database through the web servers. The exploit was shut down on the afternoon of September 6 when we discovered it.
Detailed investigation over the last two days confirmed that some of the unencrypted customer information stored in the database was compromised, potentially including Second Life account names, real life names and contact information, along with encrypted account passwords.
No credit card information is stored on the database in question, and that information has not been compromised.
As a precaution we have invalidated all Second Life account passwords. In order to log-in to Second Life you will have to create a new password. Please access the log-in page at https://secondlife.com/password, and click on the "Forgot Password" link. An email will be sent to the email address you have registered with us. (Don't forget to check your spam filter!) Please click through the link in that email, answer the security question, and create a new password."
According to the Second Life Blog:
"On September 6 we discovered evidence that an intruder was able to access the Second Life database through the web servers. The exploit was shut down on the afternoon of September 6 when we discovered it.
Detailed investigation over the last two days confirmed that some of the unencrypted customer information stored in the database was compromised, potentially including Second Life account names, real life names and contact information, along with encrypted account passwords.
No credit card information is stored on the database in question, and that information has not been compromised.
As a precaution we have invalidated all Second Life account passwords. In order to log-in to Second Life you will have to create a new password. Please access the log-in page at https://secondlife.com/password, and click on the "Forgot Password" link. An email will be sent to the email address you have registered with us. (Don't forget to check your spam filter!) Please click through the link in that email, answer the security question, and create a new password."
Don't slashdot their servers before I can change my password.
:)
Yes, the fact that the blog runs on the same MySQL cluster as the main account passwords has more than one side effect.
I've had enough abrasive sigs. Kittens are cute and fuzzy.
An intruder gained access to the database . So they're resetting passwords. Good.
... which is also probally in the same database that was already compromised?
But they're using the "security question"
and how is this fixing the problem? What exactly prevents the intruder from using the security question out of the database they compromised?
da w00t. mtfnpy?
Finally, it's good to see a company taking security seriously!
That said, and this isn't their fault, I'm cynical about the claim that credit card data wasn't compromised...
Secret questions can be troubling.
Slashdot Burying Stories About Slashdot Media Owned
I'm sorry that's incorrect. That used to be the case, but not anymore. While the "input credit information" page still comes up, you can skip it.
This means users were vulnerable without notice of a breach during that time.
No CC or cell phone needed for a couple of months now.
Signups now on SL are only tied to a valid email address