Published on: 2025-03-17

Intelligence Report: Infamous ransomware hackers reveal new tool to brute-force VPNs – TechRadar

1. BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front)

A new tool developed by a notorious ransomware group, known for automating brute-force attacks on VPNs and firewalls, poses a significant cybersecurity threat. This tool, identified through leaked chat logs, targets major VPN and networking devices. Immediate action is required to bolster defenses against potential breaches.

2. Detailed Analysis

The following structured analytic techniques have been applied for this analysis:

General Analysis

The ransomware group has created an automated framework, “Brute,” capable of executing large-scale credential stuffing and brute-force attacks. The tool targets devices such as SonicWall NetExtender, Palo Alto GlobalProtect, Cisco AnyConnect, Fortinet SSL VPN, Citrix NetScaler, and Microsoft RDWeb. The tool’s effectiveness is enhanced by leveraging SOCKS proxy infrastructure, reportedly based in Russia, to mask attack origins.

3. Implications and Strategic Risks

The deployment of the “Brute” tool represents a heightened risk to national security and economic interests. The ability to compromise VPNs and firewalls could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, disruption of services, and potential financial losses. The widespread targeting of critical infrastructure increases the risk of regional instability and could potentially impact global cybersecurity norms.

4. Recommendations and Outlook

Recommendations:

• Implement strong, unique passwords with a mix of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and special characters for all VPN and firewall instances.
• Enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA) across all accounts to add an additional layer of security.
• Adopt a Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) approach to minimize unauthorized access risks.
• Regularly monitor network authentication attempts and investigate unknown or failed login attempts.

Outlook:

In the best-case scenario, organizations swiftly adopt recommended security measures, significantly reducing the tool’s effectiveness. In the worst-case scenario, the tool’s widespread adoption leads to numerous breaches, causing substantial economic and reputational damage. The most likely outcome involves a mixed response, with some sectors implementing robust defenses while others remain vulnerable.

5. Key Individuals and Entities

The report references Sead, a journalist based in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, who has contributed to the dissemination of information regarding this threat. The ransomware group, identified as Black Basta, is central to the development and deployment of the “Brute” tool.