A virtual private network (VPN) is a type of technology that uses an encrypted connection to route internet traffic through a remote server, granting a user access to certain digital services while masking their online activity. Connecting to a VPN establishes a secure tunnel between a user’s device and the internet, making it appear as though they are browsing from the server’s original location and protecting their data from interception by malicious parties. Over the years, VPNs have become a crucial cybersecurity tool for many organizations, particularly those that permit employees to work from different locations and use public Wi-Fi networks.
Although VPNs are intended to benefit organizations by providing secure gateways to private IT infrastructure and simplifying remote access capabilities for staff, they must be launched correctly, adequately safeguarded and updated regularly to remain effective. Otherwise, they can end up becoming avenues for cybercriminals to attack rather than protective barriers. What’s worse, VPN vulnerabilities are on the rise. According to a recent survey conducted by global threat intelligence and security research firm Zscaler ThreatLabz, over half (56%) of companies have experienced VPN-related cyberattacks in the past year.
As such, it’s imperative for organizations to clearly understand the cybersecurity challenges tied to VPNs and take steps to mitigate them. This article provides more information on key VPN vulnerabilities, their potential ramifications, and the associated risk management measures that organizations should consider.
Common VPN Vulnerabilities
Because VPNs provide a bridge between the internet and a company’s internal systems, they are an attractive target for cybercriminals. Consequently, hackers have been increasingly exploiting VPN vulnerabilities to launch cyberattacks. These vulnerabilities can stem from a range of factors, including:
- Poor encryption protocols—A VPN’s encryption standards play a significant role in keeping users’ online activity and data private. Most sophisticated cybercriminals can bypass VPNs that use outdated encryption protocols, creating significant cybersecurity vulnerabilities.
- Weak authentication mechanisms—In addition to poor encryption standards, minimal or otherwise weak authentication requirements can make it easier for hackers to infiltrate a VPN and its surrounding IT infrastructure through brute-force techniques.
- Software issues—An effective VPN requires routine software updates and proper patch management. When a VPN is left unpatched, this can lead to bugs, glitches and other technical problems, all of which increase the risk of a cyberattack.
- Coding concerns—A VPN relies on accurate coding to operate as intended. If this code gets misconfigured, whether due to a system breakdown or human error, the VPN won’t function correctly, rendering it useless against cybercriminals.
Upon exploiting a company’s VPN vulnerabilities, cybercriminals may be able to infiltrate its larger IT infrastructure, ultimately disrupting critical operations, creating possible supply chain complications and compromising confidential data. One example of this type of incident is the Park’N Fly data breach in 2024. Hackers breached the airport parking service provider’s network using stolen VPN credentials, gaining access to the personal account information of 1 million customers. The incident, which occurred over a two-day period, demonstrates how quickly large volumes of data can be compromised following a VPN vulnerability.
Consequences of VPN Vulnerabilities
Cyberattacks resulting from VPN vulnerabilities can pose several consequences, such as:
- Financial and reputational fallout—As with any cyberattack, a VPN-related incident can cause substantial financial losses for the impacted organization, especially when it involves compromised data, stolen corporate funds and prolonged operational disruptions. Depending on the nature and scale of the incident, it may also foster frustration and distrust among customers and other key stakeholders, resulting in considerable reputational damage.
- Legal and compliance issues—An organization could encounter serious regulatory ramifications if certain types of sensitive data (e.g., stakeholders’ personally identifiable information, health records and financial details) are compromised in a VPN-related cyber incident. In particular, stakeholders whose information was exposed may file costly lawsuits against the company for failing to protect against the attack. Additionally, the organization could face fines and other legal penalties for breaking any applicable federal or provincial data privacy laws both during and in the immediate aftermath of the incident.
- Ongoing attacks—During a VPN-related cyber incident, hackers may infect certain aspects of the impacted organization’s larger IT infrastructure with malware or other malicious software, paving the way for ongoing attacks. In many cases, VPN vulnerabilities lay the groundwork for cybercriminals to deploy ransomware attacks, distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) events, and man-in-the-middle incidents, each of which is known to cause significant damage.
Risk Mitigation Strategies
Considering the potentially severe ramifications of VPN vulnerabilities, organizations must employ effective risk management techniques. Here are some best practices for organizations to implement:
- Conduct risk assessments. First and foremost, organizations should review and document their unique cyber risks, taking into consideration their key operations, essential services, sensitive data and digital assets. From there, organizations can better determine what type of VPN will be most effective for their particular circumstances.
- Select a trusted service provider. Organizations should carefully research different VPN service providers and select one that best suits their needs. Specifically, the provider should have a solid reputation and display a commitment to cybersecurity. The best VPN service providers typically offer built-in encryption features and adhere to no-logs policies, meaning they do not store any data regarding users’ online activity. Some providers may even offer extra security features, such as kill switches for compromised programs or devices.
- Enable security features. Organizations should ensure that they enable all available security features to strengthen their VPNs, including anti-malware programs, ad blockers, multifactor authentication protocols, and data leak prevention tools. In addition to the VPN software itself, these security features should be updated regularly. If possible, organizations should consider enabling automatic software and security updates or deploying patch management solutions to stay on track with these updates.
- Monitor network activity and perform audits. Various threat detection tools (e.g., endpoint detection and response solutions) can help organizations closely monitor their VPN connections and identify any unusual network activity in real time. These tools enable organizations to address connection issues promptly and respond to potential threats before they escalate into large-scale attacks. In conjunction with these tools, organizations should also conduct routine security audits to help detect any ongoing VPN vulnerabilities (e.g., misconfigured code) and make necessary adjustments.
- Educate staff. Employees are often the first line of defence against cyberattacks. With this in mind, organizations should educate their staff about proper VPN usage. This includes creating strong passwords, using safe devices, and only accessing data, systems, and services deemed critical to fulfilling their job roles. Organizations should also provide employees with ways to identify potential VPN vulnerabilities or suspicious network activity and outline how to respond if a VPN-related cyberattack occurs.
- Consider alternatives. In some cases, VPNs may not be worth the risks they pose to organizations. Under these circumstances, organizations should consider alternative remote access solutions, such as zero-trust network access, virtual desktop infrastructure, secure access service edge, software-defined perimeters or privileged access management tools.
Although VPNs can help organizations enhance their cybersecurity measures, they may also create additional vulnerabilities. Left unmanaged, these vulnerabilities could easily be exploited by cybercriminals. Fortunately, by upholding effective VPN security measures, organizations can minimize possible cyberattack avenues and avoid costly losses.
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