337 PCS – 11.12.23 – OCTOPUSCLOUDLOGS uploaded by a Telegram User

We've been tracking a noticeable uptick in stealer log activity on Telegram channels known for trading in compromised credentials and data. While many of these dumps are noisy and low-value, a recent upload caught our attention due to the specific combination of data points it contained. What really struck us wasn't the volume—just under 6,000 records—but the apparent target: a collection of credentials and URLs seemingly related to a specific cloud hosting provider.

The "OCTOPUSCLOUDLOGS" Leak: 5908 Records Exposing Cloud Hosting Credentials

In mid-November 2023, a Telegram user uploaded a file labeled "337 PCS – 11.12.23 – OCTOPUSCLOUDLOGS." Our team discovered this file while monitoring known channels for stealer log activity. The file, dated November 12, 2023, contained 5,908 records, a relatively small number compared to some of the larger stealer logs we've seen. However, the content was highly targeted, listing email addresses, plaintext passwords, and associated URLs seemingly related to user accounts and API endpoints of the Octopus Cloud hosting service.

The leak's focused nature raised immediate concerns. Stealer logs typically contain a messy mix of credentials from various sources, reflecting the browsing habits of the infected user. This leak, however, appeared to be more curated, suggesting a possible attempt to target users of a specific service. Such targeting matters to enterprises because it indicates a shift from opportunistic credential harvesting to more deliberate attacks aimed at specific platforms or industries, potentially increasing the risk of follow-on attacks like account takeovers and data exfiltration.

Breach Stats

• Total records exposed: 5,908
• Types of data included: Email Addresses, Plaintext Passwords, URLs
• Sensitive content types: Credentials for cloud hosting accounts
• Source structure: Stealer log file
• Leak location(s): Telegram channel
• Date of first appearance: November 12, 2023

External Context & Supporting Evidence

While this specific incident has not yet been widely reported in mainstream cybersecurity news outlets, the trend of stealer logs appearing on Telegram is well-documented. Security researchers have observed a growing ecosystem of threat actors using Telegram to buy, sell, and trade compromised data, including stealer logs, as highlighted in various threat intelligence reports. For example, posts on Breach Forums often advertise access to similar logs, though typically for a higher price than what's observed on Telegram channels. The relatively low barrier to entry on Telegram makes it an attractive platform for lower-skilled actors to distribute and monetize stolen data.

The use of plaintext passwords is a particularly concerning aspect of this breach. Modern password management practices strongly discourage storing passwords in plaintext due to the obvious security risks. The presence of plaintext passwords suggests either poor security practices by the affected service or the compromise of systems where passwords were not properly hashed and salted. This aligns with observed trends in older stealer logs, where outdated or poorly configured systems are often the source of the most damaging credential exposures.