EMAIL FAIL

Urgent warning for millions of Gmail users over security flaw that could allow your Facebook to be hacked

GMAIL users should be aware of a new security flaw that could allow Facebook accounts to be hacked.

The issue was revealed by researcher Youssef Sammouda who took to his blog to warn against using Gmail credentials to sign into Facebook.

Advertisement
to explain the implications of this bug.

According to the researcher, he was able to hijack the accounts of Facebook users who signed up through their Gmail credentials.

He said that he accomplished this by using a Google OAuth id_token/code to log in to the site.

This is called "open authorization." It is a standard used by Amazon, Microsoft, Twitter, and other big names that allows users to link accounts to third-party sites by using log in information from one of these bigger sites, said.

Advertisement

That being said, this technique can apparently be used to hack other accounts not just Facebook, Sammouda said.

However, the tech vigilante may have prevented many users from being hacked.

Sammouda revealed that he was paid a $44,625 'bounty' by Facebook after he shared his discovery.

He said that Facebook responded and implemented measures against the open authorization hack.

Advertisement

Most read in Tech

INTER-NOT!
Do you have the WORST broadband in the UK? Map shows streets with slowest speeds
SOUR APPLE
Apple fans warned 15 popular gadgets have been discontinued including iPhones
KICK OFF
FIFA finally reveals its game to rival EA Sports FC but it’s not on console
TV Makeover
Everything you need to know about Viktor's leaked rework in League of Legends

Forbes shared a statement from security provider regarding accounts that are linked through open authorization.

"Linked accounts were invented to make logging in easier," said malware intelligence researcher Pieter Arntz.

"You can use one account to log in to other apps, sites and services... All you need to do to access the account is confirm that the account is yours."

"We wouldn't recommend it because if anyone gets hold of the one password that controls them all, you're in even bigger trouble than you would be if only one site's password is compromised," he said.

Advertisement

This comes as Google recently issued an urgent security warning to billions of phone owners.

And Android users should check their phones right now for a huge security danger.

We pay for your stories!

Do you have a story for The US Sun team?

Email us at exclusive@the-sun.com or call 212 416 4552. Like us on Facebook at  and follow us from our main Twitter account at 

Topics
Advertisement
machibet777.com