When Trust is the Weakest Link: The Hidden Danger Behind MFA
- shaun9968
- Aug 19
- 4 min read
In the ever-evolving world of cyber security, it has become the convention that users trust systems that double-check our identity e.g. multi-factor authentication (MFA).
But is it possible that the extra layer of security can bring a false sense of safety? Our sense of danger seems to subside when we are of the belief that we have adequate defences in play. We feel ‘safe’ from cyber threats and become less vigilant and more trusting when we should still be on alert.
That’s exactly what unfolded in the recent Allianz Life data breach, where attackers didn’t exploit code or infrastructure, they exploited people. Armed with social engineering tactics and an alarming ability to sidestep weak MFA, cyber criminals gained access to sensitive customer data without ever needing to “hack” anything in the traditional sense.
This incident is a wake-up call. It’s not just about having MFA it’s about having the right kind. And when third-party platforms and human error are in play, even your strongest defences can fall flat.
In this post, we’ll touch on how the Allianz breach happened, why inappropriate MFA opens dangerous doors, and what your business can do to stay ahead of phishing attacks that aim for the human element, not the firewall.
When MFA Fails: The Hidden Risk of Phishing and Weak Authentication
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) has long been considered the gold standard for protecting user accounts. By adding an extra layer of verification (something you have in addition to something you know) it’s supposed to stop attackers in their tracks.
But here’s the uncomfortable truth: not all MFA is created equal. When implemented poorly, or paired with inadequate user awareness, MFA can give a false sense of security. And in the wrong hands, it becomes just another hurdle easily sidestepped through social engineering.
This exact technique appears to be what happened in the Allianz Life data breach, a stark reminder that the problem isn’t just technology it’s people and processes too.
Phishing Meets Weak MFA
Phishing attacks no longer rely solely on tricking users into giving away passwords. Modern attackers know that MFA is widely deployed, and they exploit accordingly. Here’s how phishing and inappropriate MFA can work together against you:
The Hook – The attacker sends a convincing email or message, appearing to come from IT, a vendor, or even an executive.
The Click – The victim follows a link to a realistic-looking login page.
The Capture – The user enters their credentials, which are instantly relayed to the attacker.
The MFA Bypass – The attacker immediately logs in, triggering a legitimate MFA prompt to the victim’s device.
The Approval Trap – Thinking the prompt is for their own activity, the victim approves it granting the attacker full access.
When MFA is push-based without context (e.g., showing where or what is trying to sign in), attackers can abuse human trust to “pass” the check. This is exactly why phishing-resistant MFA like FIDO2 security keys or passkeys is becoming essential.
FIDO2 is a phishing-resistant authentication standard that uses public-key cryptography instead of passwords or codes. Because the login process is cryptographically bound to the legitimate website, even if a user is tricked into visiting a fake site, the authenticator simply won’t work, making credential theft and MFA push abuse virtually impossible.
The Allianz Attack in Detail
According to reports, the Allianz Life breach wasn’t the result of a sophisticated exploit of firewalls or encryption - it was the product of social engineering combined with weak MFA practices. Attackers exploited human trust, tricking employees into approving fraudulent login requests.
The fallout? Sensitive customer data at risk, reputational damage, and another entry in the ever-growing list of breaches caused by security measures that looked strong but weren’t built to withstand real-world tactics.
So what happened?
To put it succinctly, on July 16, 2025, threat actor(s) used social engineering. They impersonated trusted IT personnel to access a third-party, cloud-based CRM system that they suspected to be a Salesforce system. They then extracted sensitive data belonging to the majority of Allianz’s 1.4 million U.S. customers, select financial professionals, and some employees.
All internal systems remained untouched, but the fallout was alarming. The stolen data reportedly included names, addresses, dates of birth, and Social Security numbers (SSNs).
The breach wasn’t due to a technical exploit it was human manipulation. The attacker successfully posed as IT staff to trick vendor or Allianz personnel into granting access, bypassing safeguards like MFA.
So what can be done? Well, or a start, hacked organisations need to fess up immediately, so that others won’t be caught out and can learn from their mistakes. In the EU this is enforced by law (GDPR).
Lessons from the Allianz Hack
· Upgrade Your MFA – Move away from push-only or SMS-based MFA to phishing-resistant options like hardware security keys. SMS-based 2FA is vulnerable to SIM swapping, where attackers convince a mobile carrier to transfer your phone number to their SIM card, allowing them to intercept verification codes and bypass your account security.
· Educate and Test – Run phishing simulations and awareness campaigns so employees can spot suspicious prompts and links.
· Implement MFA Context – Show users the location, device, and application requesting access before they approve.
· Adopt Zero Trust Principles – Treat every request as suspicious until verified and continuously monitor for anomalies.
Closing Thought
The Allianz incident proves that MFA isn’t a magic bullet especially if it’s implemented in a way that attackers can exploit. Cyber security isn’t just about technology; it’s about anticipating how real people behave when under pressure, confused, or caught off guard.
If your MFA strategy isn’t designed to counter both technical and human vulnerabilities, you’re not just leaving the door open you’re holding it for the attacker.
Further Reading
Tech Radar article on Allianz Breach:
What is Fido2:
Regola Article on The importance of employee training:
Regola Article on Sim swapping:
