An openly accessible web server has emerged as a possible attack vector used by cybercriminals in a reported ransomware incident that affected personal care and beauty marketer Avon Products last June.

Researchers from Safety Detectives today announced its discovery of a U.S.-based Avon.com server that was not defended by a password, leaving it accessible to anyone who knew or could ascertain the server’s IP address.

This revelation follows a curious cyber incident last month that Avon disclosed to the Securities and Exchange Commission in an 8-K filing on June 9. In that document, Avon said it "suffered a cyber incident in its Information Technology environment which has interrupted some systems and partially affected operations." ZDNet would later identify the event as a DopplePaymer ransomware attack, citing a source.

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Topics:

Breach Cybercrime Network Security Ransomware