I have no idea how they had my password, I never share passwords or use the same password. But I hadn’t changed my Google password in a while.
And did you have passwords using chrome password manager as well (which were also compromised by the Google account access, and this is how they got access to e.g. Coinbase?), or did they get passwords through some other means and just needed 2FA?
By enabling cloud-sync, Google has created a massive security vulnerability for the entire industry. A developer can't be certain that auth codes are a true 2nd factor, if the account email is @gmail.com for a given user because that user might be using Google's Authenticator app.
Specifically, the most problematic is SSO + Google authenticator. Just @gmail + authenticator is not enough, you need to also store passwords in the Google account too and sync them.
Although, this is functionally the same as using a completely unrelated password manager and storing authenticator codes there (a fairly common feature) - a password manager compromise leads to a total compromise of everything.
I don’t see how this happens if you use strong passwords without reuse.
I sleep fine at night, this is a Hallmark of these "omg I got owned and it could happen to you!" posts that never quite add up.
The only question mark is the email from google. It sounds like it was a scam email, so it would be interesting to know whether/how it was spoofed.
Inbox access is a fairly big compromise, even without the 2FA codes.
Or (given the password database link at the end), is the sequence:
1) various logins are pwned (Google leak or just other logins, but using gmail as the email - if just other things, then password reuse?)
2) attacker has access to password
3) attacker phishes 2FA code for Google
4) attacker gains access to Google account
5) attacker gains access to Google authenticator 2FA codes
6) attacker gains access to stored passwords? (Maybe)
7) attacker gains the 2nd factor (and possible the first one, via the chrome password manager?) to a bunch of different accounts. Alternatively, more password reuse?
I guess the key question for me, was there password reuse and what was the extent, or did this not require that?
Disclaimer: work at Google, not related to security, opinions my own.