Zapier fixes bug chain that researchers say risked widespread account takeover
Zapier patches critical bug chain allowing account takeover across 8,000+ connected apps.
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Summary
Security researchers at Token Security discovered a five-step vulnerability chain in Zapier that could have enabled attackers with just a free account to impersonate any signed-in user and access millions of accounts. The flaws involved weaknesses in code execution, credential recovery, and browser-side code injection that together could facilitate widespread supply-chain attacks. Zapier patched all issues within three weeks and paid the maximum $3,000 bug bounty; researchers found no evidence of exploitation.
The lesson from this incident
Full lessonSecurity researchers discovered a complex five-step vulnerability chain in Zapier that could have enabled attackers to impersonate any signed-in user and access millions of accounts using just a free account. The vulnerabilities spanned multiple areas including code execution, credential recovery, and browser-side code injection, demonstrating how seemingly minor flaws can be chained together for devastating impact. While Zapier responded quickly with patches and no exploitation was found, this incident highlights the critical importance of comprehensive vulnerability testing and the potential for supply-chain attacks through automation platforms. The complexity of modern web applications creates opportunities for sophisticated attack chains that may not be apparent when examining individual components in isolation.
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