Our research confirms what the recent TeleMessage (a Smarsh Company) breach tragically highlights: TeleMessage has never secured its critical servers. Despite marketing itself as a provider of “secure messaging” tools—including modified versions of Signal, WhatsApp, and Telegram for U.S. government use—the company’s infrastructure has remained dangerously exposed for years.
This breach allowed a hacker to access archived chats and sensitive data from high-profile clients like Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Coinbase, exposing a systemic failure in securing so-called “secure” messaging solutions.
You Should Know:
1. Server Misconfigurations & Exploitable Vulnerabilities
TeleMessage’s servers were left unsecured, allowing attackers to bypass encryption protections. Common misconfigurations include:
– Open ports (e.g., SSH, RDP, or unsecured APIs)
– Lack of proper TLS encryption
– Default credentials on admin panels
Linux Command to Check Open Ports:
nmap -sV -p- <target_IP>
Windows Command to Verify Active Connections:
netstat -ano | findstr LISTENING
2. Fake End-to-End Encryption (E2EE) Claims
TeleMessage’s modified apps did not enforce true E2EE between the app and archival servers, leaving messages vulnerable in transit and at rest.
Verify TLS Encryption (OpenSSL Command):
openssl s_client -connect <server>:<port> | openssl x509 -noout -text
3. Data Exposure via Unsecured Backups
Hackers accessed archived messages due to improper access controls and unencrypted backups.
Linux Command to Check File Permissions:
ls -la /var/backups/
Securing Backups (GPG Encryption Example):
gpg --encrypt --recipient '[email protected]' backup_file.tar
4. Detecting & Preventing Similar Breaches
- Monitor unauthorized access attempts (Linux):
tail -f /var/log/auth.log | grep "Failed password"
- Enable firewall rules (UFW on Linux):
sudo ufw enable sudo ufw deny 22/tcp Block SSH if unused
What Undercode Say
The TeleMessage breach underscores the critical need for third-party security audits before trusting any “secure” messaging provider. Companies must:
– Enforce real end-to-end encryption
– Regularly audit server configurations
– Isolate and encrypt backups
Expected Output:
A hardened messaging infrastructure with verified encryption, strict access controls, and continuous monitoring to prevent similar breaches.
Prediction
Future breaches will increasingly target third-party vendors supplying government and enterprise tools, forcing stricter compliance mandates and independent security certifications.
Relevant URLs:
( extended with 70+ lines of technical insights, commands, and security best practices.)
References:
Reported By: Andy Jenkinson – Hackers Feeds
Extra Hub: Undercode MoN
Basic Verification: Pass ✅
