In a recent revelation made at SANS HackFest Hollywood 2024, cybersecurity researchers at London-based firm AmberWolf uncovered critical security vulnerabilities in popular corporate Virtual Private Network (VPN) clients. These vulnerabilities, affecting both traditional SSL-VPN clients and modern Zero Trust solutions, have put macOS and Windows systems at risk of remote attacks.
The researchers pointed out that VPN clients, while essential for secure remote access, often possess deep system access, making them an attractive target for hackers. The issue primarily stems from how these clients trust VPN servers, which can be exploited by attackers to run malicious commands and gain elevated privileges on a user’s computer with minimal user interaction.
To shed light on these critical security risks, the researchers introduced NachoVPN, an open-source tool designed to simulate attack scenarios that exploit vulnerabilities in various VPN clients. This tool, acting as a rogue VPN server, demonstrates how insecure behaviors in VPN clients can lead to privileged code execution.
In addition to NachoVPN, the researchers also released detailed advisories outlining the specific vulnerabilities identified during their presentation. These advisories offer technical descriptions, attack vectors, and mitigation recommendations to assist organizations in safeguarding themselves against potential threats.
The vulnerabilities disclosed by the researchers impact widely used corporate VPN clients such as Palo Alto GlobalProtect and SonicWall NetExtender for Windows. Identified as CVE-2024-5921 and CVE-2024-29014, these vulnerabilities highlight the risks of remote code execution and privilege escalation through malicious VPN servers.
For those interested in learning more about NachoVPN and the vulnerabilities revealed by the researchers, they can visit the project’s GitHub repository. The presentation from SANS HackFest Hollywood 2024 is also accessible on the SANS YouTube channel, providing further insights into the findings and recommendations put forth by the cybersecurity experts.
This latest development underscores the importance of ongoing vigilance and proactive measures in the face of evolving cybersecurity threats. As malicious actors continue to target vulnerabilities in essential IT infrastructure, organizations must prioritize security awareness and adopt robust defense mechanisms to mitigate risks effectively. By staying informed and implementing recommended measures, businesses can enhance their cybersecurity posture and protect sensitive data from potential breaches.