DocuSign Breach

A cyber security research firm, Wallarm, recently published a report on how hackers were abusing DocuSign API, to send fake invoices that could easily pass as genuine invoices and exploit their users.

APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) are a set of rules that connect different software and systems. An API provided by an e-signature platform can be used to programmatically track signatures, generate documents, and more.

The report reveals that the attackers came up with sophisticated phishing attempts that involved exploiting real paid accounts and leveraging DocuSign’s API vulnerabilities to create and distribute fraudulent documents. The attackers used several concerning techniques by first creating legitimate-looking DocuSign accounts using stolen credentials or compromised business email accounts. Through these accounts, they exploited API endpoints to generate authentic-appearing invoices that carried DocuSign’s trusted branding and security features. The attackers then distributed these fake invoices to thousands of recipients, demanding payments for non-existent services.

The impact of this breach was far-reaching and significant. Numerous businesses received fake invoices that appeared legitimate, leading some organizations to process payments before discovering the fraud.

DocuSign responded to the incident by implementing stricter API access controls and enhancing its fraud detection systems. They introduced additional verification steps for new accounts and worked closely with affected customers to identify and stop fraudulent activities. The company also increased its security monitoring and threat detection capabilities to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The breach serves as a lesson for businesses to carefully evaluate their e-signature platform’s security features and implement additional protective measures to prevent similar attacks. It demonstrates that even well-established platforms can be vulnerable to novel attacks, making it important for organizations to maintain multiple levels of security.

Security Vulnerabilities in E-signature Platforms

1. Identity Verification Weaknesses

The main challenge of e-signatures lies in undeniably proving the signer’s identity. Unlike traditional signatures, digital signatures can be more easily spoofed through stolen credentials, complex phishing techniques, or compromised authentication systems. Weak verification protocols can allow unauthorized individuals to sign documents using stolen identities.

2. Encryption Vulnerabilities

E-signature platforms rely heavily on encryption to protect document integrity. However, outdated or improperly implemented encryption algorithms can create significant security gaps. Hackers continuously develop novel methods to break encryption, potentially exposing sensitive document contents and signatures.

3. Unauthorized Access through Credential Compromise

User accounts associated with e-signature platforms can become targets for hackers. Weak passwords, lack of multi-factor authentication, data breaches, and poor credential management can enable unauthorized access. Once credentials are compromised, malicious actors can potentially sign documents on behalf of legitimate users.

4. Non-Repudiation Challenges

Digital signatures must provide robust non-repudiation, ensuring signers cannot later deny their involvement. Inadequate documentation of the signing process, including timestamps, IP address, and device information, can create legal ambiguity and undermine the signature’s validity.

5. Platform Infrastructure Security

The underlying infrastructure of e-signature platforms represents a significant potential vulnerability. If not properly secured, can be susceptible to distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, data breaches, and system infiltrations that compromise the entire e-signature process.

6. Compliance and Regulatory Risks

Different industries and jurisdictions have varying legal requirements for electronic signatures. Failure to meet these regulatory standards can render signatures legally invalid. Moreover, inconsistent implementation of security protocols can expose organizations to significant legal and financial risks.

7. Mobile Device Vulnerabilities

The increasing use of mobile devices for e-signatures introduces additional security complexities. Unsecured Wi-Fi networks, malware-infected devices, and limited mobile security controls can create multiple potential points of vulnerability during the signing process.

8. Document Tampering Potential

Advanced digital manipulation methods can also potentially alter documents after signing. Without sufficient cryptographic signatures and comprehensive audit trails, malicious actors might modify document contents while preserving the appearance of a valid signature.

9. Third-Party Integration Risks

E-signature platforms integrate with multiple business vendors and applications to offer more functionality or access to data. Each integration point represents a potential security vulnerability. Insufficient security controls in connected applications can create indirect access methods for malicious actors.

10. Social Engineering Exploitation

Human behavior remains the most significant security vulnerability. Complicated social engineering techniques can trick users into signing documents under pretenses or circumvent existing security protocols through psychological manipulation.

Protecting your E-signatures

However, despite all these security concerns, e-signatures are still one of the safest ways to append digital signatures on documents and verify ownership. 70% of security vulnerabilities are caused by human errors and not necessarily a bug in the software. You can go a steps step further and do the following to beef up your security.

The burden of securing your e-signature workflows mainly falls on the platform you choose for your business but you also have a role to play. Here are a few things you can do to ensure your agreement process is secure:

• Authentication Best Practices  —  When it comes to security, basics matter a lot. Avoid using weak passwords, use credible and secure password managers, and activate two-factor authentication for all accounts.

• Regular Security Audits  —  Conduct comprehensive security assessments of your e-signature workflows at least quarterly. This includes reviewing access logs, checking for unauthorized activities, and ensuring compliance with security policies.

• Delete Unused API Keys  —  Regularly review and remove any API keys that are no longer in use. Outdated or forgotten API keys can become security vulnerabilities if left active.

• Cybersecurity Training for the Team  —  Implement regular security awareness training sessions for all employees who handle e-signatures. Cover topics like phishing prevention, secure document handling, and privacy best practices.

• Document Access Control  —  Implement strict access controls for sensitive documents. Use role-based access management and regularly review who has access to what documents.

• Secure Integration Practices  —  When integrating e-signature platforms with other apps, ensure proper security measures are in place. Use encrypted connections and validate all data transfers.

• Regular Backup Procedures  —  Maintain secure backups of all signed documents and associated metadata. Store backups in encrypted formats and test restoration procedures periodically.

• Monitor Authentication Activities  —  Set up alerts for suspicious login attempts or unusual document access patterns. Implement automated monitoring systems to detect potential security breaches.

• Version Control Management  —  Maintain proper version control for all documents in the signing process. Track changes and maintain an audit trail of who accessed or modified documents.

• Compliance Documentation  —  Keep detailed records of your security measures and compliance efforts. This includes maintaining logs of security updates, training sessions, and audit results for regulatory purposes.

These practices, when implemented the right way, create a solid security framework for your e-signature workflows, significantly reducing the risk of security incidents and unauthorized access.

Why you should use Agree

Agree.com was built with security in mind. We believe that our users should spend less time worrying about security and spend more time working on their business goals. Here are reasons why you should consider using Agree as your go-to e-signature platform:

Security is our top priority:

We implement enterprise-grade encryption for all documents with robust multi-factor authentication. Our system undergoes regular security audits and penetration testing while maintaining compliance with international security standards. Real-time threat monitoring ensures your data remains protected around the clock.

AI-enabled agreement workflows:

Our advanced AI technology streamlines agreement processing by automatically analyzing contracts for risks, classifying documents, and recognizing form fields intelligently. The system adapts to your workflow patterns, creating more efficient approval processes while continuously improving accuracy through machine learning.

Free for individuals:

Access our platform at no cost with unlimited document storage and basic template creation tools. Share documents securely and manage them from any device. Our free tier includes all essential features needed for personal document management and signing requirements.

Automated invoice lifecycle:

Take control of your invoicing process with our comprehensive automation system. From creation to payment collection, every step is tracked automatically. The system handles payment reminders, and status updates, and seamlessly integrates with popular accounting platforms for efficient financial management.

Built with payments in mind:

Our platform integrates secure payment processing directly into the workflow. Handle multiple payment methods, track transactions in real-time, and manage international payments effortlessly. Automated reconciliation ensures accurate financial records without the hassle of manual tracking.

Collaborative workflow:

Enable real-time collaboration with secure document sharing, commenting, and version control. Our permission management system ensures appropriate access levels while maintaining detailed audit trails of all activities. Teams can work together efficiently while maintaining document security and accountability.

You can experience the full power of Agree right away or get in touch with our enterprise team to learn how you can migrate your business contracts and agreement workflow seamlessly to Agree. Our dedicated migration specialists will ensure a smooth transition, maintaining the security and integrity of your documents throughout the process.

Conclusion

The recent DocuSign breach serves as a powerful reminder that security in e-signatures isn’t optional — it’s essential. Yet, this shouldn’t discourage businesses from embracing the full power of e-signatures. Instead, it highlights the importance of choosing the right platform and implementing proper security measures.

E-signatures remain one of the most secure and efficient ways to conduct business when done right. By combining robust platform security with best practices, organizations can confidently move forward. Agree.com exemplifies this approach, offering enterprise-grade security features while maintaining the simplicity and efficiency modern businesses demand.

Ready to experience secure, efficient e-signatures? Take the first step with Agree and transform how your business handles digital agreements. Your documents deserve nothing less than the best protection available.