A major security lapse by Vyro AI, the developer of the ImagineArt, Chatly, and Chatbotx apps, resulted in a massive leak of user data totaling 116 GB. Millions of people may have had their private prompts and authentication tokens exposed due to this breach.
Cybernews researchers traced the issue to an unsecured Elasticsearch server leaking real-time user logs from production and development environments, easily indexed by IoT search engines for months.
How Did Vyro AI's Server Leak Happen?
The leak started when Vyro AI's Elasticsearch database was left unprotected, making it accessible to anyone with internet access. Researchers found that logs covering user activity from three major apps were exposed without safeguards put in place, creating a major vulnerability.
IoT search engines first indexed the open server in mid-February, making the leak potentially visible to attackers for several months before it was discovered in April and disclosed in July. Malicious actors are more likely to download and misuse private data during this extended window.
Did you know?
Elasticsearch databases are used for high-speed search and analytics but can expose vast user data if left unsecured.
What User Data Was Actually Exposed?
Among the 116 GB of leaked information were private user AI prompts, bearer authentication tokens, and user agents. These details could allow outsiders to monitor behavior, hijack accounts, and view conversations meant to remain confidential.
Prompts often contain sensitive questions or personal information that users share with generative AI. Access to bearer tokens also means hackers could take over accounts, unlock chat histories, and potentially buy AI credits using stolen credentials.
Why Is This Incident So Significant?
Vyro AI claims over 150 million downloads across its products, with ImagineArt alone boasting well over 10 million installs and 30 million active users. The scale means this server misconfiguration put a massive pool of global users at risk with a single oversight.
The leak included both production and development logs spanning several days, making it even more damaging. Attackers could not only access conversations but also exploit tokens for fraudulent activities and digital theft.
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What Are the Risks for Users Today?
Experts warn that account hijacking is a real threat following such leaks, allowing full access to chat histories, private image generation, and unauthorized purchases. Victims may be locked out of their accounts while their digital lives are exploited for profit.
Since some prompts include intimate discussions, the exposure could lead to personal embarrassment, reputational harm, or blackmail. Many users may not even realize the risk until after damage occurs.
Are Industry Safeguards Keeping Up?
The incident highlights the broader problem facing the fast-growing AI sector, as startups and major providers rush new products to market while neglecting proper security measures.
Previous leaks affected leading brands, including OpenAI and Anthropic, revealing flaws in how sensitive data can be unintentionally made public.
More robust guardrails, secure database practices, and regular vulnerability assessments are urgently needed before AI applications become further entwined with personal and business life. As more users trust generative AI with their data, strong security must become a fundamental requirement.
The fallout from Vyro AI's breach signals a turning point for user privacy in the AI industry. With user data now a high-value target for cyberattacks, providers must act decisively to prevent similar exposures and win back public trust going forward.
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