DIGIT-ARC read-only archive · snapshot: July 23, 2026

Was TDF site being Hacked???

34 posts · originally from https://geek.digit.in/community/threads/was-tdf-site-being-hacked.177939/

kg11sgbg
kg11sgbg Original post #1
Sep 20, 2013 at 8:07 AM
@TDF Friends, yesterday at about 10 p.m. while I was trying to open the Forum site of TDF,a pop up **** video with arabic language was displayed onto my screen.
I tried with several browsers and the result was same.

Today morning onwards EVERYTHING IS NORMAL ONCE AGAIN.

Did any one of you faced the problem?

Please share...
sam_738844
Sep 20, 2013 at 8:09 AM
same happened with me, the redirected site had some "click here to enter forum" fake button which was nothing but a loop back link.
Hrishi
Hrishi #3
Sep 20, 2013 at 8:14 AM
I think the Forum was hacked due to some VB exploits probably. The Website was fine.
G
Sep 20, 2013 at 8:17 AM
Yesterday morning the whole thinkdigit was down till 3pm then i saw this ......
what's happening
R
regmi #5
Sep 20, 2013 at 8:35 AM
same happened an hr ago with me lol
G
Sep 20, 2013 at 8:49 AM
Did anybody check out the video???
how was it???
G
Sep 20, 2013 at 8:57 AM
Must be having a jolly good time...
lywyre
lywyre #9
Sep 20, 2013 at 8:57 AM
Recently, I see TDF down for maintenance too often. Sometimes, more than twice a month.
G
Sep 20, 2013 at 9:04 AM
Yesterday till 3pm no maintenance error was visible.

Whole Digit was down

getting request time out errors

must be vaibhavtek
The Sorcerer
Sep 20, 2013 at 9:28 AM
Should everyone reset their passwords?
krishnandu.sarkar
Sep 20, 2013 at 10:11 AM
Should everyone reset their passwords?

Don't worry. Passwords in VB are hashed + salted. So if anyone can manage to get the passwords he/she probably won't be able to do anything.

But for safety it's best to change the passwords.

But in this case there's no need.
krishnandu.sarkar
Sep 20, 2013 at 10:39 AM
C'mon man. Now again peoples will start a thread "Who is vaibhavtek?" :p
Nanducob
Nanducob #17
Sep 20, 2013 at 10:49 AM
Allahu Akbar
The Sorcerer
Sep 20, 2013 at 10:51 AM
Are you sure there's nothing wrong? Because the password seems to be visible on the screen when typed:
*i.imgur.com/sjM1bK9.png

(no, that's not my password :p )
Skud
Skud #20
Sep 20, 2013 at 11:34 AM
Are you sure there's nothing wrong? Because the password seems to be visible on the screen when typed:
*i.imgur.com/sjM1bK9.png

(no, that's not my password :p )


Which browser are you using? Personally, don't face any such problem.
Anorion
Anorion #21
Sep 20, 2013 at 11:43 AM
^that hapens to me sometimes when page has not fully loaded
I use opera
The Sorcerer
Sep 20, 2013 at 12:22 PM
I am using Firefox, but also reflects in chrome and in my mobile.
Skud
Skud #23
Sep 20, 2013 at 12:29 PM
I am using Firefox, but also reflects in chrome and in my mobile.


I am also using Firefox, but yeah it happens sometimes when page doesn't load properly.
Faun
Faun #24
Sep 20, 2013 at 12:59 PM
i didn't click on the video. Was it good ?
dashing.sujay
Sep 20, 2013 at 1:32 PM
Are you sure there's nothing wrong? Because the password seems to be visible on the screen when typed:
*i.imgur.com/sjM1bK9.png

(no, that's not my password :p )

It happens when the page has not loaded properly; browser independent.
Zangetsu
Zangetsu #26
Sep 20, 2013 at 1:35 PM
Are you sure there's nothing wrong? Because the password seems to be visible on the screen when typed:
*i.imgur.com/sjM1bK9.png

(no, that's not my password :p )

this...
I am also using Firefox, but yeah it happens sometimes when page doesn't load properly.
Ronnie11
Ronnie11 #28
Sep 20, 2013 at 9:23 PM
lol...@video...Seriously guys did you get to see it...
flyingcow
flyingcow #29
Sep 20, 2013 at 9:48 PM
the video showed an arabic lady doing YOGA...
kg11sgbg
kg11sgbg #30
Sep 20, 2013 at 10:04 PM
I think the Forum was hacked due to some VB exploits probably. The Website was fine.
Yes,Rishi you are right.
My bad,the forum page might had been hacked or @#$%^&!!!??? ,but the thinkdigit website was safe....

Requesting System Admins. and Moderators to be vigilant about our beloved and sensible Forum; for all of us the TDF members,such that we do not face any such problems.
Vyom
Vyom #32
Sep 20, 2013 at 11:17 PM
Yes. The site was hacked.

Yes it was hacked. Server files had to be reverted to a backup for a site issue, but unfortunately we went back to a backup that had the install directory as well. Hackers used a known flaw in VB to gain access to the admincp and set up a simple meta refresh for the default skin, which is why logged in members didn't see the redirect. Just another traffic stealing hack, by a script kiddie using a known flaw because of a little carelessness on our part. Apologies.

Don't worry about your passwords or personal data being hacked, because logs show they didn't access anything but the templates to get the redirect. Besides, all data is stored encrypted in vBulletin, so even I cannot read your passwords, though I can change them to something else. Theoretically, I could try and bruteforce your password using the encrypted hash that's stored in the database, but it would take about 10 years computing time per user, so certainly not worth the effort :)

vBulletin is secure and no worries. However, it does leave us with an egg in the face for overlooking something as simple as the install folder :(

For those interested in the vulnerability:
Potential vBulletin Exploit (vBulletin 4.1+, vBulletin 5+) - vBulletin Community Forum
*thehackernews.com/2013/09/major-vbulletin-based-websites-are.html


Update: Avatars set after the end of August may need to be set again, apologies :(
kg11sgbg
kg11sgbg #33
Sep 21, 2013 at 6:58 AM
Thanks @Raaabo,and to System Admins. + Mods.

At least feeling safe and sound as according to the comments in @Vyoms section.
skeletor
skeletor #34
Sep 22, 2013 at 12:40 PM
Closing.