A security researcher recently found a bug in Google’s account recovery system. The flaw allowed an attacker to discover someone’s hidden recovery phone number without sending any alerts. Google says the issue is now resolved. Users can feel safer knowing their private contact information is protected.
How the Bug Worked
Every Google account may list a recovery phone number. This number helps users regain access if they forget their password. Normally, Google shows only the last two digits of this number. The rest remains hidden to protect privacy. The researcher known as brutecat spotted a way to reveal the full number.
The exploit began with a method to leak the full display name of a target account. Then brutecat bypassed Google’s anti-bot measures. Google limits how many recovery requests come from the same device or IP address. By automating a chain of steps, the researcher could hide the true source of requests. After that, the system lets brutecat try each possible digit combination. In under twenty minutes, a script could find the full phone number.
Testing the Flaw
To confirm the method, TheTechBasic set up a fresh Google account. The account used a phone number never been used before on any Google service. The email address was shared with Brutecat. A few minutes later, the researcher replied with the correct phone number. This proof of concept showed how real the danger was. Users might never know that their recovery number was exposed.
Why This Risk Matters
If an attacker learns someone’s recovery phone number, they gain the power to break into that person’s online accounts. A skilled criminal could perform a SIM swap attack. This attack tricks the phone company into moving the victim’s phone number to a new SIM card. Once the attacker controls the number, they can call for new password reset codes. They could then take over the victim’s Gmail, social media, and even banking accounts.
Revealing a phone number can also expose a user to unwanted contact and spam. A phone number that was meant to stay hidden might show up in online ads or on social media. Someone could steal it for marketing or even harassment. This flaw risked both security and privacy.
Google’s Response and Fix
After being alerted to the flaw in April, Google engineers acted swiftly. The company applied a patch to the recovery process. The fix introduced stronger checks on how many tries an IP or user could make. It also hardened the system against name display leaks and removed the ability to bypass anti-bot measures so easily.
A Google spokesperson said the issue is now resolved. The team praised the security researcher for reporting the bug through Google’s vulnerability rewards program. Google also noted that it has found no evidence that this flaw was exploited at scale before the patch. The spokesperson added that working with external researchers helps keep user data safe.
The Role of Bug Bounty Programs
Bug bounty programs reward independent researchers for finding and reporting vulnerabilities. Google runs such a program for all of its services. Brutecat earned a $5,000 reward for this discovery. Other major tech firms use similar programs to learn about security gaps before bad actors do.
How Users Can Protect Themselves
Most users will not need to take any action after the fix. Google has already updated all affected servers. Yet people should remain vigilant. They can review recovery options in their account settings. It is wise to enable two-step verification. This adds a second factor beyond the recovery phone. Users can also check which devices have access and remove any that are unfamiliar.
Finally, users can choose a strong, unique password and update it regularly. They can also add a recovery email address to their account. That way, if one recovery path is exposed, the other remains safe.
What’s Next
This incident shows that even small details matter in security. Phone numbers that once felt private can become public with the right exploit. Keeping recovery data secure takes constant attention from engineers. It also relies on outside researchers to test and break features before they reach users.
As Google and other platforms add more AI and automation to their services, they must also build new safeguards. Automated systems can help find bugs, but they can also introduce new risks. Continued investment in security will help protect user data as technology evolves.
Users today can rest easier knowing this particular bug is fixed. Yet staying safe online is a shared task. Users should follow basic security steps and keep their account recovery options up to date. From small fixes to major redesigns, the work to secure personal data never stops.
