Likud Voting System Compromised, Allowed Anyone to Change Results
The votes were cast using paper ballots, but a recount was ordered due to irregularities. One tweet exposed the security breach
After irregularities were discovered in the Likud primary vote count, Israel's ruling party ordered a recount. However, it turns out any person with a link could change the primary result with the push of a button.
The votes were cast using paper ballots, but the count was done using a computerized system. The system designed for the recount was set up on what was supposed to be a private server.
Political correspondent Daphna Liel posted on Twitter a screenshot passed to her by a source who wanted to point out the discrepancies in the votes.
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Some sharp-eyed Twitter users noticed the server and tried it – discovering a site that not only displays real-time results, but one that allowed them to be changed.
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The security breach is glaringly clear: Those who set up the server relied on its address remaining secret; once it was revealed, anyone could change the recount as he or she pleased.
Access to the site has since been removed. The ramifications are no less severe: Without leaving your home, you could change the results of primary in Benjamin Netanyahu's party.