Akira Ransomware Exploiting Unpatched VPNs to Breach Networks
Cybersecurity threats are constantly evolving, but sometimes the most damaging attacks rely on old, known vulnerabilities that have been left unpatched. The Akira ransomware group is actively demonstrating this principle, successfully breaching corporate networks by exploiting outdated security flaws and weak remote access configurations.
Understanding how these threat actors operate is the first step toward building a stronger defense. By focusing on fundamental security hygiene, organizations can significantly reduce their risk of becoming the next victim.
The Akira Threat Explained
First emerging in early 2023, the Akira ransomware group quickly made a name for itself with its double-extortion tactics. Like many modern ransomware operations, they don’t just encrypt your critical data; they first steal a copy of it. This gives them powerful leverage, as they threaten to leak the sensitive information publicly if the ransom is not paid.
This group has targeted a wide array of industries, from small businesses to large enterprises, showing a high degree of technical skill in identifying and exploiting security gaps. Their recent campaigns highlight a dangerous reliance on weaknesses in perimeter devices, particularly VPNs.
The Open Door: Exploiting Weak Remote Access Security
Recent investigations have revealed that Akira operators are gaining initial access to target networks through multiple vectors, all centered on remote access infrastructure. While they employ various methods, two primary tactics stand out.
First, the primary entry point is often through unpatched SonicWall Secure Mobile Access (SMA) 100 series appliances. The attackers are exploiting a well-documented and critical vulnerability (CVE-2020-5135) that allows for credential theft. Although a patch for this flaw has been available for years, many organizations have failed to apply it, leaving a wide-open door for intruders.
Second, and just as critically, a major secondary vector is the exploitation of single-factor authentication on VPNs. In these cases, attackers don’t even need a software vulnerability. They simply need a valid username and password, which can be acquired through phishing, credential stuffing, or purchase on dark web forums. Without the added layer of Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), a single compromised password is all it takes to grant an attacker access to the internal network.
From Initial Access to Full-Scale Ransomware
Once an attacker gains a foothold in the network, their work is far from over. The attack follows a predictable, yet devastating, chain of events:
- Reconnaissance and Privilege Escalation: The intruder explores the network, identifying key servers, domain controllers, and data repositories. They use tools like Mimikatz to steal higher-level credentials.
- Lateral Movement: Using the stolen credentials, they move across the network, disabling security software and gaining control of as many systems as possible.
- Data Exfiltration: Before deploying the ransomware, they quietly copy and transfer large volumes of sensitive corporate data to their own servers.
- Ransomware Deployment: With data secured and defenses down, the final payload is executed. Files are encrypted, operations grind to a halt, and the ransom note appears.
Once inside, attackers escalate privileges and move laterally across the network before deploying the final ransomware payload. The entire process can take days or weeks, often happening undetected until it’s too late.
How to Protect Your Organization from Akira Ransomware
Defending against threats like Akira doesn’t require reinventing your security strategy. Instead, it demands a disciplined focus on core security principles. Here are the essential steps every organization should take immediately:
Patch and Update Immediately: Your top priority should be to identify and patch all internet-facing devices, especially VPNs, firewalls, and remote access gateways. Applying security patches for known vulnerabilities is the single most critical step in preventing these attacks.
Enforce Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Passwords alone are not enough. MFA is a powerful and essential defense against compromised credentials. Ensure it is enabled for all remote access accounts, as well as for privileged administrator accounts and critical cloud services.
Conduct Regular Security Audits: Proactively scan your external network perimeter for exposed services, outdated software, and misconfigurations. You cannot protect what you do not know you have.
Implement Network Segmentation: By dividing your network into smaller, isolated zones, you can contain a breach. If an attacker compromises one segment, segmentation makes it significantly harder for them to move laterally and access critical systems in other parts of the network.
Maintain and Test Backups: A robust backup strategy is your last line of defense. Follow the 3-2-1 rule: three copies of your data, on two different media types, with at least one copy stored offline and off-site. Regularly test your backups to ensure you can restore operations quickly after an incident.
The tactics used by the Akira ransomware group are a stark reminder that cybercriminals often follow the path of least resistance. By leaving old vulnerabilities unpatched and failing to enable MFA, organizations are effectively inviting attackers in. Taking proactive, decisive action to secure your remote access infrastructure is no longer just a best practice—it is an absolute necessity for survival in today’s threat landscape.
Source: https://securityaffairs.com/182112/cyber-crime/akira-ransomware-exploits-year-old-sonicwall-flaw-with-multiple-vectors.html
