Sito del Ciclismo

We've been tracking a worrying trend of smaller, niche websites experiencing breaches with disproportionately high impact due to their often-lax security practices. What really struck us about this particular incident wasn't the volume of records, but the sensitive nature of the user base: cycling enthusiasts, some of whom may have used credentials across multiple platforms. The data had been circulating quietly for years, but resurfaced recently in several combolists, indicating ongoing exploitation. The fact that passwords were stored in plaintext significantly amplifies the risk.

Sito del Ciclismo: The cycling database breach that exposed 12,375 users’ plaintext passwords

In August 2018, the Italian cycling database and web resource, Sito del Ciclismo, suffered a data breach. This breach involved the exposure of 12,375 user records, including email addresses and, critically, plaintext passwords. The breach was discovered after the data appeared on underground sources and was later incorporated into various combolists.

The breach caught our attention due to the egregious security lapse of storing passwords in plaintext. In today's threat landscape, this practice is virtually unheard of, and it immediately flags the site as having inadequate security protocols. This matters to enterprises now because it highlights the persistent risk associated with third-party websites and services, particularly those with limited resources or expertise in cybersecurity. Even seemingly innocuous sites can become a vector for credential stuffing attacks and other malicious activities.

This incident fits into the broader threat theme of credential reuse. Users often employ the same email and password combinations across multiple online platforms. Therefore, a breach at a less-secure site like Sito del Ciclismo can provide attackers with credentials that unlock access to more valuable accounts, including those used for business purposes. The age of the breach doesn't diminish its relevance; these credentials remain viable until users actively change their passwords on all affected platforms.

Key point: Total records exposed: 12,375

Key point: Types of data included: Email Addresses, Plaintext Passwords

Key point: Source structure: Likely a database export (exact format unknown)

Key point: Leak location(s): Underground forums, combolists

Key point: Date of first appearance: August 26, 2018

While there has been no major news outlet coverage of this specific breach, the incident aligns with broader reporting on the dangers of weak password security. As KrebsOnSecurity has repeatedly emphasized, password reuse and reliance on easily-guessed passwords remain significant security risks. The Have I Been Pwned website includes this breach in its database, allowing users to check if their email address was compromised. This adds further validity to the breach report.

Email · Address · Plaintext · Password