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Latest Sony Hack Targets Japan Music Site

This is getting a little ridiculous. Analysts have discovered yet another flaw on Sony's network, this time via Sony Music Japan.

May 24, 2011

This is getting a little ridiculous. Analysts have discovered yet another flaw on Sony's network, this time via Sony Music Japan.

"The Hacker News sent us a tip this evening documenting a couple of vulnerable Web pages on SonyMusic.co.jp that allowed hackers to access their contents through SQL injection," Chester Wisniewski with Sophos wrote in a blog post.

On the plus side, the data in the database does not include names, passwords, or other personally identifiable information. There are, however, two databases on the site and it's not clear whether they have sensitive information, Wisniewski said.

"It isn't clear whether the hackers are able to inject data into the database, or simply access the tables and records it contains. If they are able to alter the records, this could be used to insert malicious code that could be used to compromise people browsing the site," he wrote.

Who is behind this attack? Wisniewski speculated that the attackers "appear to be the same crew who targeted Fox.com earlier this month." That group is known as Lulz Security, and the good news is that they usually attack for fun, "not to steal credit cards and commit other types of fraud," he said. They were pretty clear in their message: "We just want to embarrass Sony some more."

This, of course, is just the latest security snafu for Sony. A Sony site in Greece was in early May. Hackers also managed to , So-net Entertainment Corp., and make off with around $1,225 in redeemable gift points; another hack on one of Sony's servers. Not to mention the massive hack that took down the PlayStation Network and Sony Online Entertainment.

As a result, Wisniewski acknowledged that "there is an enormous target on Sony's back."

"I hope this is the last time I have to report on a flaw at Sony. Sony has announced they are working with several professional organizations to get their security house in order and for their sake I hope this happens sooner rather than later," he concluded.

Sony that the effects of the Japan earthquake and tax provisions will drag the company into a $3.18 billion loss for its 2011 fiscal year. Costs from the PlayStation Network hack are expected to total $171 million, the company said.