Brinztech Alert: The Alleged Database of Alliance Healthcare Italy is Leaked

Dark Web News Analysis

The dark web news reports a critical data privacy and supply chain incident involving Alliance Healthcare Italy, a major technology solution provider and distributor for the healthcare sector (part of the global Cencora group, formerly AmerisourceBergen). A threat actor on a hacker forum is distributing data attributed to a Ransomware Attack by the DataCarry group, initially reported in May 2025.

The leaked dataset, totaling 498 MB across 237 unique files, contains a disturbing mix of administrative and personal data. The files include Identity Documents, Resumes, CSVs, PDFs, and XLSX spreadsheets. Most critically, the threat actor has highlighted a specific folder named “PW”, which analysts believe contains Password-related files or unencrypted credential lists, confirming a severe compromise of the internal security architecture.

Key Cybersecurity Insights

Breaches of pharmaceutical distributors are “Tier 1” supply chain threats because they bridge the gap between drug manufacturers and patient care:

• The “PW” Folder Threat: The specific isolation of a “PW” (Password) folder is the “smoking gun” of this leak. It suggests the attackers found an IT administrator’s stash of credentials—likely for servers, database access, or remote desktop protocols. If these passwords are not rotated immediately, they provide a persistent backdoor for future attacks, even after the ransomware is cleared.
• Supply Chain Contagion: As a key entity within Cencora, Alliance Healthcare connects thousands of pharmacies and hospitals. If attackers use the stolen credentials to access the central ordering system, they could disrupt the delivery of essential medicines or inject malicious orders, causing chaos in the Italian healthcare system.
• HR Data & Identity Theft: The presence of Identity Documents and Resumes indicates that the Human Resources department was a primary target. This exposes current and former employees to identity theft. Resumes often contain detailed work histories and contact info, which can be used for highly targeted Social Engineering attacks against other pharmaceutical companies.
• Ransomware Validation: The release of this data confirms that the DataCarry group successfully exfiltrated data back in May 2025. It serves as a warning that paying a ransom (if one was demanded) does not guarantee data deletion; groups often hold onto “insurance files” to leak or sell months later.

Mitigation Strategies

To protect the pharmaceutical supply chain and employee identities, the following strategies are recommended:

• Credential Wipe: Alliance Healthcare Italy must immediately assume all internal passwords are compromised. Initiate a forced reset for every account, especially for privileged administrators and service accounts linked to the “PW” folder.
• Partner Notification: Downstream partners (pharmacies, hospitals) should be notified to watch for suspicious emails or API requests originating from Alliance Healthcare’s domain, as compromised accounts may be used for Business Email Compromise (BEC).
• GDPR Compliance: As this involves Italian citizens’ identity documents, the Garante per la Protezione dei Dati Personali (Italian Data Protection Authority) must be notified of the specific scope of the leak to avoid massive regulatory fines.
• Dark Web Monitoring: Continuously monitor the “PW” folder contents. If it contains passwords for third-party software or cloud services, those vendors must also be alerted to rotate their keys.

Secure Your Business with Brinztech — Global Cybersecurity Solutions

Brinztech protects organizations worldwide from evolving cyber threats. Whether you’re a startup or a global enterprise, our expert solutions keep your digital assets safe and your operations running smoothly.

Questions or Feedback?

For expert advice, use our ‘Ask an Analyst’ feature. Brinztech does not warrant the validity of external claims. For general inquiries or to report this post, please email us: contact@brinztech.com