Details Emerge Regarding Disney Hack
Over the weekend, rumors emerged regarding a Disney hack.
At the time, nobody knew the scope of hack, just that someone had allegedly infiltrated Disney’s system.
![](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2024-walt-disney-company-stock-photos2.jpeg)
![](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2024-walt-disney-company-stock-photos2.jpeg)
Photo: Disney
Now, some credible reporters have confirmed that the hack is real…but is it serious?
Here are the details that have emerged regarding the Disney hack.
Disney Slack Attacked
![The Walt Disney Company](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2024-walt-disney-company-stock-photos4.jpeg)
![The Walt Disney Company](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2024-walt-disney-company-stock-photos4.jpeg)
Photo: Disney
In this week’s Disney Headlines, I discussed the various reports about the Disney hack.
At the time, I acknowledged that the attack sounded modest in scope, as the hacker only acquired 1.1 terabytes of data.
![Google Search](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Google-phone-search.jpg)
![Google Search](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Google-phone-search.jpg)
Photo: verdemedia.com
Your smartphone could store nearly that much data. So, it’s not a significant amount.
The danger for companies like Disney is when a hacker targets a vulnerable system that includes lots of private data.
![phone](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Guests-using-phone-at-Magic-Kingdom-in-Orlando-Photo-Walt-Disney-World-1024x576-1.jpg)
![phone](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Guests-using-phone-at-Magic-Kingdom-in-Orlando-Photo-Walt-Disney-World-1024x576-1.jpg)
Photo: Disney
According to various reports on Monday, July 15th, that’s apparently what has transpired.
Variety indicates that Disney “is investigating a hack of the entertainment company’s internal Slack channels.”
![Slack Logo](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/slacklogo.gif)
![Slack Logo](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/slacklogo.gif)
Image: Slack
A reporter for the Wall Street Journal claims to have seen and verified some of the illegally acquired data.
Apparently, the hacker has posted private information regarding Disneyland Paris revenue and attendance.
![Disney Electrical Sky Parade](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Screenshot-2024-02-20-at-12-58-57-New-Drone-Show-Brings-Nostalgia-to-Disneyland-Paris.png)
![Disney Electrical Sky Parade](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Screenshot-2024-02-20-at-12-58-57-New-Drone-Show-Brings-Nostalgia-to-Disneyland-Paris.png)
Photo: Disney Parks Blog
The hacker group, an organization named NullBudge, also indicates that they have attained details of a new streaming feature.
Apparently, it would “recommend Disney content based on what viewers previously watched.”
![Disney+/Hulu](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2023-disney-plus-hulu-beta-testing1.jpg)
![Disney+/Hulu](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2023-disney-plus-hulu-beta-testing1.jpg)
Photo: Disney+
Since Disney+ and Hulu already have that functionality, I must presume it’s an enhanced version of existing tech.
What the Hacker Acquired
![Futurama](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/MV5BY2JiMzM3NTItM2QyNy00ODIyLWE5M2ItMTU0MDRlNzQzNjc3XkEyXkFqcGdeQXZhcmdtaWM@._V1_.jpg)
![Futurama](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/MV5BY2JiMzM3NTItM2QyNy00ODIyLWE5M2ItMTU0MDRlNzQzNjc3XkEyXkFqcGdeQXZhcmdtaWM@._V1_.jpg)
Photo: Hulu
As I mentioned in Disney Headlines, there’s a needle in a haystack element to minor hacks like this one.
The criminal apparently gained access to a Disney manager’s Slack account and took information from there.
![data](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/binary.jpg)
![data](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/binary.jpg)
Photo: Computer Hope
So, the severity of the hack depends on the job level of the manager as well as their department.
Apparently, this hacker’s results were scattershot. Unless they’re sandbagging, the information they claim to have is modest in scope.
![Star Wars Starcruiser](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Starcruiser-6-2.jpg)
![Star Wars Starcruiser](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Starcruiser-6-2.jpg)
(Matt Stroshane, photographer)
They appear to have 1.1 terabytes of Slack messages from 2019 through 2024.
The hacked data includes “conversations about maintaining Disney’s corporate website, software development, assessments of candidates for employment, programs for emerging leaders within ESPN and photos of employees’ dogs, with data stretching back to at least 2019.”
![Take Me Out to the Ballparks](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Screenshot-2024-06-26-at-08-20-08-ESPN-Announces-Exclusive-‘ESPN-Experiences-Take-Me-Out-to-the-Ballparks-Tour-Set-for-Labor-Day-Weekend-ESPN-Press-Room-U.S.png)
![Take Me Out to the Ballparks](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Screenshot-2024-06-26-at-08-20-08-ESPN-Announces-Exclusive-‘ESPN-Experiences-Take-Me-Out-to-the-Ballparks-Tour-Set-for-Labor-Day-Weekend-ESPN-Press-Room-U.S.png)
Photo: ESPN
I don’t think anybody at Disney is worried about having a cute puppy.
The software development conversations could be a sore spot, but the website maintenance discussions would put you to sleep on a Zoom call.
Frankly, the most worrisome portion for Disney, at least based on the information known thus far, is the candidate assessments.
That’s only problematic if there’s a paper trail of a recklessly aggressive candidate critique, which isn’t very Disney anyway.
![Sony logo](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/2024-sony-logo.png)
![Sony logo](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/2024-sony-logo.png)
Photo: Sony
As such, a security specialist interviewed by the Wall Street Journal suggested that the hacker is a single person seeking attention.
That’s the best-case scenario for Disney if that’s all it is. However, anyone who remembers the 2014 Sony hack is holding their breath.
Was It a Hack?
![Disney revenue increase](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023-walt-disney-company-studios-headquarters-burbank-california-stock-5-scaled-e1707074836298.jpg)
![Disney revenue increase](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023-walt-disney-company-studios-headquarters-burbank-california-stock-5-scaled-e1707074836298.jpg)
The Walt Disney Company
People got fired over that. On a seemingly unrelated note:
“NullBulge also posted what appears to be detailed information about the individual who was seemingly providing the insider access and data.”
![Disney Board Directors](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023-walt-disney-company-studios-headquarters-burbank-california-stock-7-scaled-e1693163021409.jpg)
![Disney Board Directors](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023-walt-disney-company-studios-headquarters-burbank-california-stock-7-scaled-e1693163021409.jpg)
The Walt Disney Company
The hacker(s) also doxxed the Disney employee, so this may have been an inside job rather than a true hack.
In that scenario, a Disney worker willingly leaked some data to a hacker group. If that proves true, it might be a bigger story.
![Disney Board Directors](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023-walt-disney-company-studios-headquarters-burbank-california-stock-1-scaled.jpg)
![Disney Board Directors](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023-walt-disney-company-studios-headquarters-burbank-california-stock-1-scaled.jpg)
Credit: Disney
Stay tuned, as MickeyBlog will keep you informed on potential twists and turns in this “hack.”
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