Penetration Test Reveals Vulnerability in Warehouse Management Software Exposing Shipment Data
The Challenge
NorthFleet Logistics, a mid-sized Canadian transportation and warehousing company, began its annual cybersecurity review expecting a routine exercise. The company relied on a Warehouse Management Software (WMS) platform to track cargo, coordinate routes, manage storage, and handle customs documents across Ontario and Quebec.
During a scheduled penetration test, the security team found a critical API vulnerability that allowed unauthorized access to shipment manifests and routing data. The exposed endpoint lacked proper authentication, which meant an attacker could view or alter details such as delivery addresses, cargo value, and schedules.
A review of system logs showed suspicious queries over the previous two months, suggesting reconnaissance. Although no confirmed data exfiltration had been identified, the risk to client confidentiality and supply chain integrity was significant. The incident raised potential reporting obligations under PIPEDA and highlighted a gap between policy-level controls and real-world technical testing.
Our Solution
We delivered a targeted Technical Security and Testing engagement designed to remove immediate risk and harden NorthFleet’s controls.
1. Containment and patching. We secured the affected API with authentication tokens, encrypted transport, strict access controls, and rate limiting, then coordinated emergency patches with the WMS vendor.
2. Source code and API review. We performed a line-by-line review of the WMS and its cloud integrations, addressing input validation, authorization, and error handling.
3. Third-party risk evaluation. We assessed the vendor’s development and test practices against ISO 27001 and NIST SP 800-115 and required evidence of secure SDLC controls.
4. SOC enhancements. We added API-focused detections, improved log coverage, and tuned anomaly alerts for unusual query volume and sequence patterns.
5. Training and governance. We ran workshops on secure coding, change control, and incident escalation, and updated internal standards to include API-specific testing before release.
The Value
The engagement shifted leadership’s view of cybersecurity from a checklist activity to an operational safeguard that protects revenue, clients, and brand reputation.
- Critical issues remediated: All high and medium findings were fixed within 72 hours.
- Reduced exposure: Continuous monitoring and quarterly tests lowered vulnerability counts by approximately 65% within three months.
- Regulatory readiness: The client gained a documented assessment trail mapped to PIPEDA and internal breach-response thresholds.
- Avoided losses: By resolving the flaw before confirmed misuse, the company avoided potential contract losses and remediation costs estimated at $250,000 or more.
Implementation Roadmap
1. Discovery and verification
– Conduct penetration test, confirm API exposure, and preserve forensic logs.
– Validate potential impact on shipment data and client information.
2. Immediate mitigation
– Disable or gate the vulnerable endpoint.
– Implement strong authentication, authorization, transport encryption, and rate limiting.
– Deploy vendor patches and hotfixes.
3. Hardening and testing
– Complete code and configuration review.
– Add automated SAST/DAST and API fuzzing to the CI pipeline.
– Integrate API telemetry with SOC dashboards and playbooks.
4. Vendor and compliance alignment
– Perform third-party security assessment and require SDLC attestations.
– Update incident documentation and PIPEDA readiness materials.
5. Sustainment
– Establish quarterly penetration tests and monthly vulnerability scans.
– Provide executive metrics on risk reduction and mean time to detect/respond.
