Home Depot’s Year-Long Security Oversight: A Deep Dive into the Exposed Internal Systems
In a significant cybersecurity lapse, Home Depot inadvertently exposed access to its internal systems for an entire year. This vulnerability stemmed from an employee’s accidental publication of a private access token online, granting potential unauthorized access to the company’s sensitive infrastructure.
Discovery of the Exposure
In early November 2025, security researcher Ben Zimmermann identified a GitHub access token associated with a Home Depot employee. This token, exposed since early 2024, provided extensive access to the company’s private source code repositories on GitHub. Alarmingly, it also permitted modifications to these repositories, posing a substantial risk to the integrity of Home Depot’s software and systems.
Extent of the Vulnerability
The exposed token was not limited to source code access. It also provided entry into Home Depot’s cloud infrastructure, encompassing critical systems such as order fulfillment, inventory management, and code development pipelines. Given that Home Depot has relied on GitHub for its developer and engineering infrastructure since 2015, the potential ramifications of this exposure were profound.
Challenges in Reporting the Issue
Zimmermann made multiple attempts to alert Home Depot about this security flaw. He sent several emails and even reached out to the company’s Chief Information Security Officer, Chris Lanzilotta, via LinkedIn. Unfortunately, his efforts were met with silence. This lack of response was particularly concerning, especially considering that other companies had previously acknowledged and appreciated Zimmermann’s disclosures of similar vulnerabilities.
Resolution and Company Response
Faced with Home Depot’s inaction, Zimmermann turned to TechCrunch to bring attention to the issue. Upon TechCrunch’s intervention on December 5, Home Depot acknowledged the communication. Subsequently, the exposed token was removed from the internet, and its access was revoked. However, the company did not provide further comments or details regarding the incident.
Implications and Industry Context
This incident underscores the critical importance of robust security protocols and responsive communication channels within organizations. The prolonged exposure of such a significant vulnerability raises questions about Home Depot’s internal security practices and its commitment to safeguarding sensitive information.
Moreover, this is not an isolated case. Similar incidents have occurred in the industry:
– DeepSeek’s Data Exposure: In January 2025, Chinese AI company DeepSeek inadvertently exposed an internal database containing user chat histories and sensitive data. The unprotected database was accessible to anyone on the internet, highlighting the risks associated with misconfigured databases.
– APIsec’s Security Lapse: In March 2025, API testing firm APIsec confirmed that an exposed internal database containing customer data was connected to the internet without a password. This lapse exposed records dating back to 2018, including names, email addresses, and details about the security posture of APIsec’s corporate customers.
– Comodo’s Internal Files Accessed: In July 2019, a hacker gained access to internal files and documents owned by security company Comodo by using an email address and password mistakenly exposed on the internet. This incident emphasized the dangers of exposed credentials and the need for stringent access controls.
The Importance of Vulnerability Disclosure Programs
One notable aspect of this incident is Home Depot’s apparent lack of a vulnerability disclosure or bug bounty program. Such programs are essential for organizations to receive and address security vulnerabilities reported by external researchers. By not having a clear channel for reporting, companies risk prolonged exposure to potential threats and may miss opportunities to fortify their defenses.
Conclusion
The Home Depot security lapse serves as a stark reminder of the ever-present threats in the digital landscape. Organizations must prioritize the implementation of comprehensive security measures, establish clear channels for vulnerability reporting, and foster a culture of transparency and responsiveness. In doing so, they can better protect their systems, data, and, ultimately, their customers.
