How I Hijacked an Abandoned Twitter Account and Why Broken Link Hijacking Matters

1 week ago 19

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Introduction

In today’s connected world, brands often rely on social media for customer engagement. But when they abandon these accounts or fail to manage them properly, it opens the door to a unique vulnerability: broken link hijacking. Recently, I discovered an abandoned Twitter account linked to a company’s website, which I was able to reclaim. In this post, I’ll explain what broken link hijacking on social media is, how I managed to hijack an unclaimed account, and why companies should prioritize securing their social profiles.

What Is Broken Link Hijacking on Social Media?

Broken link hijacking typically involves unused subdomains or social media handles. When a company links to a social media account they no longer maintain, it can be reclaimed by a malicious actor to impersonate the brand. This type of hijacking is particularly harmful because users tend to trust official social media handles, making it easier for attackers to spread misinformation, engage in phishing, or harm the brand’s reputation.

Common scenarios for this vulnerability include:

Forgotten Social Media Accounts: When companies abandon their social profiles but forget to update links on their websites or other resources.Unclaimed Usernames: Companies might change usernames on social platforms but leave the old username links live on their websites.

The Discovery

While reviewing a company’s website, I noticed a link to their Twitter profile. Clicking the link, however, led to an inactive page, showing that the account was either deleted or never claimed. This was my first indicator that the account could potentially be taken over.

To confirm, I attempted to register the Twitter handle associated with the company. To my surprise, the handle was available, meaning I could create an account using that username.

The Takeover Process

Once I confirmed that the Twitter handle was unclaimed, I followed these steps:

Registering the Account: I created a Twitter account using the available username, gaining control over the handle.Creating a Proof of Concept (PoC): To demonstrate the impact of this hijack, I posted a safe, benign message on the account to show it could be used to impersonate the company.Documenting the Risks: I documented the risks associated with a malicious actor controlling this Twitter handle, including the potential for phishing, fraud, and reputation damage.

The Risks of Social Media Hijacking

Taking over a company’s social media account can lead to various security and reputational risks, including:

Phishing and Fraud: Attackers could send phishing messages, leading followers to fake login pages or fraudulent sites.Brand Manipulation: By impersonating the brand, attackers could spread misinformation, damaging customer trust.Reputation Damage: If customers encounter a suspicious or harmful post on what appears to be an official account, they may lose trust in the company.

Preventing Social Media Link Hijacking

After successfully demonstrating the takeover, I reported the vulnerability to the company and recommended a few preventive measures:

Regularly Audit Social Media Links: Companies should periodically check that all social media links on their websites direct to active accounts.Claim and Secure Handles: Even if a brand isn’t actively using an account, it’s safer to claim the username to prevent others from doing so.

**if u were able to find out which company it is..congrats, as u pay close attention to details ;)

Conclusion

experience was a reminder of how easily overlooked social media accounts can lead to security vulnerabilities. Broken link hijacking on social media may seem minor, but it can have a significant impact if leveraged maliciously. By securing their online presence, companies can protect their brand, customers, and reputation from this hidden threat.

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