Description

Hertz has inadvertently exposed more than 60,000 insurance claim reports, raising significant concerns about its data security practices and leaving customers worried about the safety of their personal information. The breach came to light when a customer received an unexpected email from Hertz regarding a damaged vehicle rental record. Although the email appeared legitimate, it contained a suspicious link to a site identified as htzra.com, later confirmed to be a phishing site. Upon investigation, it was found that this phishing site was designed to collect sensitive information through a form disguised as an accident report submission. The breach was attributed to an access control vulnerability known as Indirect Object Reference, which allowed unauthorized individuals to access other customers’ accident reports by simply modifying the URL. The exposed reports included personal data such as names, addresses, phone numbers, and ages of individuals affected, though only a small percentage contained more sensitive information. After the breach was discovered, cybersecurity firm Adversis notified Hertz, which promptly shut down the compromised domain and restricted access to the leaked data. According to Adversis, the breach was identified on September 5, 2024, and confirmed resolved by September 13, 2024. In response to the incident, Hertz has acknowledged the breach and assured customers that it is taking steps to strengthen its security measures. Affected customers have been informed and provided guidance on protecting their personal information. This incident underscores the need for robust cybersecurity measures and highlights the risks associated with sharing personal data online. Customers are encouraged to remain vigilant for suspicious communications and consider companies with stronger security protocols for future rentals.