WordPress suffers root level hack

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WordPress.com was on the wrong end of a root level attack this week, although the fallout could have been significantly worse than it was, according to a security expert.

Hackers gained root level access to servers at WordPress’ parent company Automattic, meaning “potentially anything on those servers could have been revealed,” WordPress founder Matt Mullenweg admitted on a blog.

He presumed the WordPress source code was copied by hackers, but it appeared “information disclosed was limited.”

Mullenweg said there was no evidence user passwords had been taken.

Despite the serious implications of the compromise, one security expert claimed the aftermath could have been much worse for WordPress.

“Although the hackers would have been able to download much of the source code on the servers, possibly including custom-developed code of premium clients of the company, WordPress appears to have followed best practice and encrypted the password files, as well as private information such as credit card details," said Phil Lieberman, president of identity management specialist Lieberman Software.

"Media reports over the last day or so have played up the hack as if it is the end of the world for the blogging industry, when it plainly isn't. By encrypting user credentials and associated data, WordPress has followed the advice of the IT security professionals," he added.

WordPress was hit by another hack attack just last month, when a huge Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) strike caused “sporadic slowness” on the site.

“This time around, it looks as though the company has taken a sensible approach to security and reasoned that, even if hackers get through its external defences, as has clearly happened, they can limit the damage that has been done,” Lieberman added.

“Other high-profile organisations should take notice [of] this planned defensive strategy.”

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