How a Leading Fintech Firm Was Exposed by Simple Security Oversights

Even the smallest misstep in your digital setup can become a hacker’s gateway. CloudSEK’s BeVigil platform recently uncovered multiple high-risk vulnerabilities in a leading fintech firm’s public-facing systems—ranging from exposed error logs and open APIs to insecure email settings. These flaws could have enabled phishing, brute-force attacks, and full-scale data breaches. This blog unpacks the findings and shows how minor oversights can snowball into major threats. Whether you're in fintech or any digital-first industry, the insights here are a wake-up call: visibility and proactive security aren’t optional—they’re critical.

Niharika Ray

May 2, 2025

As organizations increasingly rely on digital infrastructure, even a minor oversight in configuration can expose them to significant risks. CloudSEK’s BeVigil platform recently conducted an in-depth scan of a leading fintech company's public-facing assets and discovered multiple vulnerabilities that, if left unaddressed, could compromise data integrity, customer trust, and regulatory standing. This blog highlights the key findings and their potential implications.

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Red Flags Across the Stack

BeVigil's comprehensive scan uncovered critical security issues spanning web applications, APIs, SSL configurations, DNS records, and more. These include:

Application Error Disclosure and Exploitation: With internal application details revealed through Tomcat stack traces, attackers can gain insights into the application's code structure, enabling more precise and damaging attacks.
Remote Method Enumeration and Abuse: Exposed system methods via WordPress XML-RPC allow attackers to enumerate available functions, increasing the risk of brute-force attacks or targeted reconnaissance.
Phishing and Impersonation Threats: Insecure email configurations, such as the SPF misconfiguration, make it easier for malicious actors to send fraudulent messages from trusted domains, leading to data theft or malware infections.

Avenues for Attack

Tomcat Stack Traces Enabled – Publicly available error stack traces on the firm's web application could give attackers insights into internal code logic and application structure, aiding targeted exploitation.

Exposed WordPress XML-RPC Methods – The visibility of system methods via XML-RPC allows threat actors to enumerate functions and identify possible entry points for brute-force attacks or reconnaissance.

*WordPress XML-RPC list system methods, revealing available API functions*

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Insecure SPF Records – Misconfigured Sender Policy Framework (SPF) records for the firm's domain open the door to email spoofing, enabling attackers to impersonate corporate emails and phish employees or customers.

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What You Can Do Right Now

If you want to stay ahead of security risks like the ones uncovered in this case, here are some immediate steps you can take:

Hide Detailed Error Messages: Make sure your apps don’t show too much technical information when something breaks. Keep those details private so attackers don’t get a free blueprint.
Limit Unused Features: If there are parts of your system (like old tools or settings) you’re not using—especially those that allow outside access—turn them off or lock them down.
Protect Your Emails: Double-check your email settings to prevent outsiders from pretending to send messages from your company. This helps stop phishing and scams.

Conclusion

This recent security assessment underscores a critical truth: in cybersecurity, details matter. From legacy protocol support to overlooked configuration files, attackers thrive on the smallest gaps in your digital defenses. Proactively securing your infrastructure, not just fixing issues after they surface, is the key to building a resilient digital presence.

CloudSEK’s BeVigil enables organizations in fintech and beyond to uncover and resolve hidden vulnerabilities before they escalate. In today’s threat landscape, visibility and action aren’t optional, they’re essential.