In the ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats, the Hertz Corporation, encompassing its subsidiaries Hertz, Dollar, and Thrifty, has joined a growing list of companies affected by data breaches. This time, the breach comes from a sophisticated ransomware attack orchestrated by the notorious CL0P ransomware gang. The attack took advantage of vulnerabilities in the Cleo file-sharing platform, exposing sensitive customer data. As the breach unfolds, customers are being notified about potential data exposure, and the company is offering identity monitoring services to mitigate potential risks.
the Incident
The breach occurred in late 2024, exploiting a vulnerability in Cleo’s managed file transfer solutions, including products like Cleo Harmony, VLTrader, and LexiCom. CL0P, the group behind the attack, has been notorious for targeting file-sharing software providers, having previously breached systems through zero-day exploits in platforms like MOVEit Transfer and GoAnywhere MFT. This attack marks another significant escalation in CL0P’s automated, high-volume campaign strategy, which they executed on hundreds of unsuspecting organizations.
Hertz confirmed the breach on February 10, 2025, acknowledging that unauthorized third parties accessed data using zero-day vulnerabilities in Cleo’s platform. The company stated that the stolen data could include personal information like names, contact information, driver’s license details, and—though rare—Social Security numbers.
In terms of the scope of the attack, the exact number of affected individuals is not clear, though the breach appears to have impacted a significant portion of Hertz’s customer base. The data stolen could vary from customer to customer, but the possibility of sensitive information such as Social Security numbers or government-issued IDs being exposed is of particular concern.
Despite the gravity of the breach, Hertz has maintained that there is no current evidence that the stolen data has been misused for fraudulent activity. To support affected individuals, the company is offering two years of free identity monitoring services via Kroll, which will help users detect any unusual activity linked to their stolen personal information.
What Undercode Says: Analysis of the Hertz Breach and CL0P’s Attack Methodology
The Hertz breach is yet another example of the expanding tactics employed by ransomware groups like CL0P. The group’s ability to exploit vulnerabilities in file-sharing platforms is not a new trend, but the sheer scale and automation of their attacks are becoming increasingly alarming. The fact that CL0P has breached multiple high-profile organizations through these zero-day exploits indicates that such vulnerabilities are being systematically overlooked by both the vendors involved and the companies using their services.
From a technical perspective, zero-day exploits are particularly dangerous because they occur before a patch or update is made available to mitigate the vulnerability. In this case, Cleo’s platforms, which are widely used in business-to-business (B2B) contexts, were attacked during a window where the vulnerability had yet to be identified and resolved by the vendor. This left organizations like Hertz exposed to an automated attack that required little manual intervention from the hackers, allowing them to scale their operation quickly and with devastating results.
It’s also noteworthy that the breach happened over several months (from October to December 2024), highlighting a key feature of CL0P’s attack strategy: long-term persistence. Cybercriminals are moving away from short, sharp attacks and focusing on prolonged access to systems in order to maximize the impact of their efforts. This tactic allows them to collect a broad range of data and potentially orchestrate follow-up attacks on other platforms or services connected to the compromised systems.
On the other hand,
The broader implications of this breach point to an ongoing issue within the cybersecurity ecosystem: file-sharing platforms, often considered secure business tools, are increasingly becoming targets for ransomware groups. Organizations using these tools must adopt more stringent security protocols, such as ensuring timely patching of vulnerabilities and improving detection systems, to mitigate the risk of similar attacks in the future.
As we continue to see attacks of this nature grow in scale, the need for robust cybersecurity strategies becomes even more evident. This means not only investing in technology but also creating a culture of awareness and vigilance at every level of the organization. Employees must be educated on the importance of cybersecurity, and systems must be regularly assessed for potential vulnerabilities. While no system is entirely foolproof, proactive measures can make a significant difference in reducing the likelihood of such breaches.
Fact Checker Results
1. Verification of Claim:
- Customer Impact: The data leak involves a range of sensitive information, but the exact number of victims remains unclear due to the nature of the breach and the availability of data on CL0P’s leak site.
- Response Accuracy: Hertz has provided accurate details about the breach and is offering standard post-breach services like identity monitoring. However, the long-term effectiveness of these services remains uncertain.
References:
Reported By: www.malwarebytes.com
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