Earlier this week, Tom’s Hardware reported that two ethical hackers, BobDaHacker and BobTheShoplifter, discovered “catastrophic” cybersecurity vulnerabilities in multiple Burger King hosted platforms. The hackers informed Restaurant Brands International (RBI), the holding company that owns Burger King, Tim Hortons, and Popeyes, of vulnerabilities that allow attackers to not only view employee information, but also take control of store interfaces, order equipment, and even listen to recorded drive-through customer orders.
“Their security was about as solid as a paper Whopper wrapper in the rain,” stated BobDaHacker in a blog post on the incident .
Thankfully, the aforementioned “ethical” part of this discovery means that Burger King gets the opportunity to remediate rather than face the severe consequences they might otherwise be wading through. It also gives us a chance to review what went wrong, and how other organizations can ensure these cybersecurity vulnerabilities aren’t lurking in their own systems.
Our experts have reviewed what went wrong in Burger King’s security, and we’ve compiled a list of cybersecurity best practices Burger King should have followed to avoid serving up their systems on a silver platter (or in a greasy paper bag):
1. Cloud Security: Lock Down External Access to Sensitive Data
One of the most common vulnerabilities in cloud environments is the unintended public exposure of sensitive data. Organizations must ensure that data stored in cloud services like AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud is not publicly accessible unless explicitly intended. Disabling public signups (in Burger King’s case, in AWS Cognito) can prevent unauthorized access to user pools.
Centralized account provisioning and role-based access control (RBAC) are also essential for strong cybersecurity. Centralized Account provisioning will ensure all user accounts are created, managed, and deactivated from a single, secure system. By assigning permissions based on roles rather than individuals, organizations can streamline access management and reduce the risk of privilege escalation. RBAC ensures that users only have access to the data and systems necessary for their job functions.
2. Secure Authentication Flows
Authentication is the first line of defense against unauthorized access. Implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds an extra layer of security by requiring users to verify their identity through a second method, such as a mobile app or hardware token.
Email verification should be enforced and never bypassed. Allowing users to skip this step opens the door to impersonation and phishing attacks. Additionally, passwords should never be sent or stored in plain text like they were in RBI’s systems. Instead, passwords should be treated like a breakfast potato —hashed and salted for best results. This ensures that even if a database is compromised, the passwords remain unreadable.
3. Audit and Harden APIs
APIs are the backbone of modern applications, but they can also be a major attack vector if not properly secured. Organizations should follow API cybersecurity best practices, such as validating input, enforcing rate limits, and using authentication tokens.
In production environments, disable introspection features that allow users to query the API schema. While useful during development, introspection can expose sensitive endpoints and internal logic to attackers. Regular penetration testing and code reviews are also vital to uncover vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.
4. Encrypt and Protect Sensitive Data
Data encryption is a cornerstone of strong cybersecurity. Sensitive information such as personally identifiable information (PII), voice recordings, and financial data should be encrypted both at rest and in transit. This protects data from interception and unauthorized access.
For organizations leveraging AI and machine learning, it’s crucial to limit access to training data and anonymize it wherever possible. This not only protects user privacy but also ensures compliance with data protection regulations like GDPR and CCPA.
5. Secure Configuration Management
Misconfigured systems are a leading cause of data breaches. One common mistake is hardcoding credentials into source code, which can be easily discovered by attackers. Instead, use secrets management tools to store API keys, passwords, and tokens securely.
These tools provide centralized control over sensitive information and allow for automated rotation of credentials, reducing the risk of exposure. Configuration files should also be regularly audited to ensure they adhere to security best practices and organizational policies.
6. Active Monitoring with Security Information and Event Management
Cybersecurity is about prevention just as much as it’s about detection. Implementing active monitoring using a Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) system can help organizations identify suspicious activity in real time.
A SIEM aggregates logs from various systems and applications, including identity access management platforms, to detect signs of credential misuse, compromised accounts, or lateral movement within the network. It also stores logs in a centralized location for extended periods, which is invaluable for forensic investigations and compliance audits.
7. Establish a Culture of Following Cybersecurity Best Practices
Technology alone can’t protect an organization. People play a critical role. Building a security-first culture starts with cybersecurity awareness training for staff, teaching them to recognize phishing emails, use strong passwords, and report suspicious activity.
Security should be embedded into every phase of the development lifecycle, starting from the design phase. Moreover, cybersecurity must be a board-level priority, not just an optional side of chicken fries. Leadership buy-in ensures that security initiatives receive the funding, attention, and support they need to succeed.
Final Thoughts
Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility that spans across teams, departments, and leadership. When any of these areas are ignored, organizations leave themselves wide open for bad actors. By implementing these seven measures, Burger King could have avoided what BobDaHacker called “vulnerabilities so catastrophic that we could access every single store in their global empire.” Remember: the cost of prevention is always lower than the cost of a breach. If your security has the strength of a wet paper bag, it’s time to fix it.
Ready to get started on stronger cybersecurity? Curious about how you measure up? Reach out to one of our experts today for a free Cybersecurity Risk Assessment.
