TeleMessage, a Modified Signal Clone Used by US Government Officials, Has Been Hacked
A shocking revelation has emerged regarding TeleMessage, a modified version of encrypted messaging app Signal that is used by U.S. government officials and companies. According to a recent report by 404 Media, TeleMessage has been hacked, exposing sensitive information related to its users.
TeleMessage, an Israel-based company owned by Smarsh, offers customized versions of encrypted messaging apps like Signal, Telegram, and WhatsApp. The tool allows users to archive messages, including voice notes, from these encrypted apps. However, a security breach has exposed the contents of archived chat logs, contact information of government officials, back-end login credentials for TeleMessage, and more.
The hacker exploited a vulnerability in TeleMessage to extract this data, which includes:
* Contents of cabinet members' and former U.S. national security adviser Mike Waltz's messages * Contact information of government officials * Back-end login credentials for TeleMessage * Data related to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, crypto exchange Coinbase, and financial service providers like Scotiabank
What's more alarming is that the archived chat logs are not end-to-end encrypted between the modded version of Signal offered by TeleMessage and the location where it stores the messages.
In response to the breach, Smarsh, the company behind TeleMessage, has suspended its services. The company stated: "Upon detection, we acted quickly to contain it and engaged an external cybersecurity firm to support our investigation."
Smarsh added that all other products and services remain fully operational, but "out of an abundance of caution," they have temporarily suspended all TeleMessage services.
Coinbase, which was also affected by the breach, assured users that there is no evidence any sensitive customer information was accessed or that customer accounts are at risk. The company stated that it does not use this tool to share passwords, seed phrases, or other data needed to access accounts.
Signal, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and Scotiabank have not yet responded to requests for comment on the breach.
This incident highlights the importance of robust security measures in place when using modified versions of encrypted messaging apps. As technology continues to evolve, it's crucial for users to be vigilant and take steps to protect their sensitive information.
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