Harvard University is investigating a data breach allegedly carried out by the Russian-speaking ransomware group Clop. The group claims to have accessed sensitive data through a recently uncovered zero-day vulnerability in Oracle’s E-Business Suite software. Clop has threatened to publicly release the stolen data and listed Harvard on its leak site, signaling it as one of several targets in a broader campaign.
University officials confirmed that a vulnerability in Oracle’s systems was exploited and have taken measures to patch the affected software.
An initial review found that the breach was confined to a small administrative unit and that other core university systems remained uncompromised. However, given Clop’s history of large-scale cyber extortion campaigns, the situation is being closely monitored.
Why It Matters: The breach is part of the increased risk posed by software supply chain vulnerabilities, particularly when exploited by well-resourced cybercrime groups like Clop. Even institutions with robust IT infrastructures are vulnerable when dependent on widely used enterprise software. This event serves to remind leaders of the importance of timely patch management and the broader security implications for other Oracle E-Business Suite users across sectors.
- Breach Originated from a Zero-Day Oracle Vulnerability: The attack on Harvard was traced to a zero-day vulnerability in Oracle’s E-Business Suite, an enterprise application used for managing large-scale administrative operations. Though Oracle claimed in early October that the vulnerability had been patched in July, it was later forced to issue a second update after acknowledging additional flaws. Clop appears to have exploited the window between those patches, launching a widespread data theft campaign targeting users of the vulnerable software. According to Google’s Threat Intelligence Group and Mandiant, this campaign impacted over 100 organizations before Oracle’s intervention.
- Clop Threatens Public Data Exposure: Clop has listed Harvard on its leak site and is threatening to disclose data allegedly stolen in the breach. While the nature and sensitivity of the information remain unclear, the threat follows Clop’s broader scheme of publicly pressuring institutions into paying ransoms. The group has reportedly contacted executives across multiple organizations as part of a coordinated extortion effort that began in late September.
- University Confirms Limited Scope of the Breach: Harvard University Information Technology (HUIT) officials stated that preliminary investigations suggest the breach was limited to a small administrative unit and did not impact broader university systems. They emphasized that the vulnerability had been patched following Oracle’s advisory and that there is currently no evidence of lateral movement or deeper infiltration into the University’s digital infrastructure. The statement aims to reassure stakeholders, though investigations are still ongoing.
- Harvard Implements Mitigation and Ongoing Monitoring: Upon receiving Oracle’s security alert, Harvard promptly applied the patch intended to close the vulnerability and began closely monitoring its systems for any signs of continued compromise. The University has not disclosed whether it has received direct communication from Clop or if any ransom demands have been made. In line with standard incident response protocols, forensic investigations and risk assessments are underway to ensure that no other university departments or personal data were affected.
- Clop’s History Signals Escalating Threat: Clop has an extensive history of exploiting vulnerabilities in file transfer and enterprise platforms to conduct high-reward ransomware operations. In 2023, Clop compromised the MOVEit file transfer platform, impacting over 2,700 organizations and reportedly earning $75 million in ransom payments. The group also targeted other platforms like Cleo and previously disrupted operations at Maastricht University. This history raises concerns that even seemingly isolated incidents, like Harvard’s, could be part of larger coordinated campaigns targeting institutions with sensitive data.
Harvard Investigating Breach Linked to Oracle Zero-Day Exploit – BleepingComputer
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