VPN Vulnerabilities: How to Prevent a Slow-Motion Disaster?
Every year the world becomes more and more dependent on digital technologies, which makes the issues of cybersecurity especially relevant. One of the most discussed issues in this area is the vulnerabilities of virtual private networks. These vulnerabilities can become a serious threat to organizations if they are exploited by attackers. Recent attacks on Pulse Secure VPN highlight the scale of the problem and raise questions about the future of cybersecurity.
Vulnerability and incident analysis is key to transforming network security
Pulse Secure was the target of a cyberattack in which hackers exploited vulnerabilities in its VPN products to conduct espionage operations. The main attack involved infiltrating the networks of companies using Pulse Secure VPN and gaining access to sensitive data.
Key details of the attack:
- Malware injection. The hackers used several malware families, including Slowpulse, to compromise Pulse Secure VPN servers. This allowed them to bypass security measures such as two-factor authentication.
- Credential theft. The attackers stole user credentials, allowing them to gain long-term, undetected access to the victims’ networks.
- Espionage. The primary goal of the attack was espionage, particularly against high-value targets such as defense contractors, financial institutions, and government organizations.
- Long-term compromise. The attack was particularly dangerous because some of the vulnerabilities exploited had remained unpatched since 2019, allowing the hackers to remain undetected for long periods of time.
The Pulse Secure VPN attack was discovered and stopped in 2021. In April 2021, FireEye reported the discovery of this attack and related malware, and took steps to mitigate the vulnerabilities and secure the affected systems. This attack is part of a larger cyber espionage campaign.
These attacks clearly showed that even the most modern technologies are not immune to vulnerabilities. Let's consider the main problems that such systems face:
- Difficulty in detecting threats. The increasing complexity of VPN infrastructure makes monitoring and identifying anomalies almost impossible. The more users connect to the network, the more difficult it is to detect attackers.
- Old vulnerabilities. Many of the vulnerabilities discovered have existed since 2019, but were not fixed due to the difficulty of updating software, which left companies vulnerable to attacks.
- Modern threats. Modern hackers use new methods to bypass two-factor authentication, which was considered reliable protection a little earlier.
- Risks for companies. Attacks on VPN services not only threaten data security, but also jeopardize the work processes of companies, especially in the context of remote work, which has become common in recent years.
Attacks on VPN services highlight the need for an urgent review of approaches to cybersecurity. It is important not only to update software in a timely manner, but also to actively monitor possible threats in order to minimize risks. In the future, it is necessary to develop more resilient security systems that can withstand new challenges in the digital world.
How to quantify the level of protection provided by a VPN service?
You can assess the level of protection provided by a specific VPN service by taking into account several key factors. Here are the main criteria that will help determine, approximately in percentage terms, how protected a user is:
- Encryption type. High level of protection (50-70%): using modern encryption protocols such as AES-256 is considered one of the most reliable methods of data protection. Medium level of protection (30-50%): protocols such as AES-128 or PPTP provide basic protection, but may be vulnerable to more experienced hackers.
- Logging policy. Maximum protection (80-90%): VPN services with a strict no-logging policy minimize the risk of data leakage. This means that the provider does not store information about the user's actions on the Internet. Average protection (40-60%): If the provider keeps minimal logs, for example, connection time or the amount of data transferred, this can create potential risks in the event of an information leak.
- Security protocols. High level of protection (60-80%): the use of modern protocols, such as OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec, WireGuard, provides a more reliable connection. Medium Protection (30-50%): Outdated or less secure protocols such as L2TP/IPsec or PPTP may not provide sufficient protection against sophisticated attacks.
- Server Location and Jurisdiction. High Protection (70-90%): Services based in countries with strict privacy laws may be more secure. Medium Protection (40-60%): If the service is located in countries with data retention requirements or cooperates with government organizations, the level of protection is reduced.
- Speed of response to vulnerabilities. High Protection (70-85%): Quick software updates and vulnerability fixes significantly reduce risks. Medium Protection (50-65%): Delays in updates may leave the user vulnerable to attacks based on known vulnerabilities.
- Additional Security Features. Maximum protection (85-95%): the presence of the Kill Switch function, protection from DNS and IP leaks, and support for multi-factor authentication significantly increase the level of protection. Average level of protection (60-75%): the absence of such functions leaves the user exposed to various types of attacks.
If all the parameters of your VPN are at a high level, you can consider that you are protected by about 75-85%. However, if there are weak points, this estimate can drop to 50-60%. It is also important to understand that no VPN can guarantee 100% protection, but an assessment by these criteria will give a clearer picture of your security level.
Private VPN Server: Effective Personal Protection
When attacks on corporate VPN services are becoming more frequent, a private VPN server provides an additional level of protection, minimizing the risk of data leakage and bringing the security rate closer to 99%.
You can learn more about various VPN technologies and buy a private VPN server on Private VPN server. Here you will also find information about the terms of purchase, payment methods, available server locations, answers to popular questions and much more useful information about VPN.