XIII_PRIVATE_LOGS_PAYPAL: 358 Login Credentials Hit the Dark Web

In January 2023, HEROIC analysts identified a stealer log labeled XIII_PRIVATE_LOGS_PAYPAL circulating on a Telegram channel used to trade harvested credentials. The file contained 358 records, including email addresses, plaintext passwords, and associated URLs. The uploader's own naming points to PayPal login credentials specifically, though this is a label the uploader chose, not a confirmed breach of PayPal's own systems. It reflects a small batch of data pulled from infected devices and sorted by the service it targets.

Why This Is Dangerous

A leaked PayPal login is especially valuable to an attacker because it can lead straight to money. The passwords in this log are stored in plaintext, so anyone with the file can use them the moment they open it, no cracking required. Paired with a matching email address, each record is a ready made login for an account that may hold linked bank details or a card on file.

What Was Exposed

• Email addresses
• Plaintext passwords
• URLs linked to the affected accounts

Why This Matters

A compromised PayPal login can lead directly to unauthorized transfers or purchases, making this a fast path to financial fraud rather than a slower, indirect risk. Beyond PayPal itself, if that password was reused anywhere else, it opens the door to credential stuffing against email or other accounts, which can escalate into full account takeover or broader identity theft.

How Stealer Logs Work

A stealer log is created by information stealing malware, which infects a device, often through a pirated download, a fake update, or a malicious attachment, and quietly copies saved usernames, passwords, and browsing data straight from the victim's browser. That data is bundled into a file and sent to whoever controls the malware. Some logs are broad and unsorted, while others, like this one, are organized around the specific service they target, then shared or sold on Telegram, which is exactly where HEROIC analysts found this file. Because it comes from an active browser session, the data tends to be current and immediately usable.

Check If You Are Affected

HEROIC's free breach scanner checks your email address against more than 400 billion leaked records, including logs like this one. It takes just seconds, and if you get a match, change that password right away and review your PayPal account for any unfamiliar activity.