Facebook data breach: Security experts call for reforms

Security experts are calling for tighter controls on social networking sites following the discovery of a security flaw that has left the account information of millions of users vulnerable to harvest.

Packet Storm, the security firm that reported the vulnerability and worked with Facebook to address the data disclosure flaw, said that legislators must craft stricter laws on how social networking firms can manage data and how users can manage their information.

The company said: “There comes a time when a line in the sand must be drawn. We need clearly defined legislation that dictates when that line is crossed and what the repercussions should be. We need to clearly document what is considered sensitive information tied to a personal identity versus what should be considered public domain.”

The issue, disclosed by Facebook last week, is with the site's Download Your Information feature. The flaw improperly stores contact information on friends, allowing users to spot the email addresses and phone numbers of contacts who may not have otherwise been visible.

Mike Gross, director of professional services for security firm 41st Parameter, said that while the data may only be available to friends, an attacker could exploit the feature to target the friends and family of a compromised user.

“This makes phishers' jobs much easier, as they now potentially have access to an email address, as well as the individual's closest connections/relationships," Gross explained.

"So rather than getting a phishing e-mail with a link from Facebook or another site, a fraudster could make the phishing e-mail look as though it is originating from your close friend with a link that looks legitimate but sends the user to a site that downloads malware to their device."

Packet Storm noted that while Facebook has worked quickly to address this incident, the real danger lies in the way that social networking sites are allowed to manage user data. The company believes that government intervention may be needed to set a standard for how sites can manage and revoke access to user data.

“Facebook reacted to the incident in a responsible manner in order to fix the leak. What is not fixed, is their policy,” the company said.

“They will continue to maintain dossiers with your personal information without giving you any control over it. They simply claim it is not your data, it is your friend's.”